by Ashe, Karina
“I’m sure it’s nothing. A little ice when I get home, and I’ll be fine. Let’s go.”
Derek slipped into his underwear and shorts and sat next to her. When she kept her eyes straight ahead, he reached up and turned her face toward him.
“It’s still raining too hard to leave, but I’ll take you home as soon as it lets up, if that’s what you want.”
“Of course that’s what I want! We’re done here, and I’m not in any shape to be walking around looking at trees this afternoon.”
“Lauren, before the phone rang, I was about to tell you something. I think if you’ll hear me out, you’ll see that things aren’t the way you think.”
“Oh, so now you can read my mind and know what I think?”
“No, but come on, you seemed pretty happy about where we were until the phone call.”
“Look, Derek, you don’t owe me any explanations. I’m a big girl. So we had a little fun while waiting the storm out. I didn’t ask any questions, and so you didn’t tell me any lies. Now what you’re going to say to Carly when you do call her back, that’s another story, but it’s none of my business.”
“That’s enough!” Derek sprang to his feet.
Lauren was taken aback by the intense look on his face and realized she was going to have to hear him out, whether she wanted to or not.
“Carly is a family friend, that’s all. She’s not even my friend, just the daughter of my parents’ friends. To me, she’s nothing more than a royal pain in the butt that I’m somewhat stuck with due to the families.”
Derek dropped to his knees, facing Lauren. He picked up the phone and began scrolling down the screen. “But no more. That’s it. She’s deleted.” He tossed the phone down next to Lauren.
Lauren pushed it away from her. “Do you think I’m going to check?”
“No, forget about it.”
Derek leaned in, bracing himself with one hand on either side of her. “Lauren, what I wanted to say before is how absolutely ecstatic I am to have found you. Yeah, you surprised the hell out of me just now with your passion—in a great way—but I had already fallen for the smart, sexy, caring woman I met earlier in the week. The side of you that I just got to know excites me more than you could ever imagine. I’m hard right now for you, and I have been since you turned around and sprayed me with your hose.”
Lauren burst out laughing. She had been watching his face intently and saw honesty in his eyes. She believed him, despite the inner voice that told her every word was a lie, and a man like Derek would never be interested in her. But the image of their first meeting drowned out the nagging whispers of doubt.
She leaned in, threw her arms around his neck, and pulled him down on top of her. “Well, today you sprayed me with your hose, so let’s call it even.”
Derek mumbled something into her neck about having to pull off their clothes all over again before he lowered himself and his head disappeared under her skirt.
Chapter 3
Monday morning Derek sat in his office organizing the day’s schedule for his work crews. He usually did this the night before the job, but he had been with Lauren until she threw him out right before midnight on Sunday, saying she had to get some rest before going to work the next day, something she couldn’t do as long as he was there.
He would have stayed and fucked her right up to having to leave for work today, just the way they’d been fucking since Saturday afternoon. Man, that woman took everything he gave her and wanted more.
She’d showed her kinky side when it came to sex play, and Derek felt his pants filling out uncomfortably just thinking about her propped up in bed wearing nothing but a black corset, garter belt, and the sexiest lace-topped stockings he had ever seen. She let him cuff her wrists to the bedposts and tie her legs spread eagle to the footboard of the bed. She had all the equipment, including nipple clamps, silky scarves, blindfolds, creams and lotions, handcuffs, and a half dozen vibrating gizmos that he could tantalize her with, and she shared her stash with him.
Derek shifted uncomfortably in his seat, stuck his hand down his pants to reposition himself so he wasn’t choking off circulation to his manhood, and forced himself to return his attention to the spreadsheet on his computer screen. He was so immersed in the scheduling that he didn’t notice his brother standing in the doorway until he turned to get the schedules off the printer behind him.
“Cade! How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to see you battling your thoughts and forcing yourself to pay attention to work. What’s going on, little brother?”
Derek shook his head. Even though he and Cade were physical opposites—Cade was dark haired, slender, although still muscular, and several inches shorter—they thought alike, so there was no use denying what he brother had already observed.
Derek loved his brother dearly, but he wasn’t ready to share his new relationship yet. He wanted more time alone with Lauren before exposing her to the scrutiny of his family, who viewed every possible additional heir to the fortune with suspicion. It was one of the reasons Derek had kept his romances short and casual. Of course, that hadn’t worked out so well for him, because most of his previous lovers were quite eager to be introduced his parents, thinking that would bring them one step closer to the money.
Right now he and Lauren were still in the beginning stages of a relationship that he believed could progress to a long-term future, but until he knew for certain he wasn’t sharing any information, not even with Cade.
“Oh, just the usual little-head, big-head duel getting me in trouble again. But I think one more cup of coffee, and I’ll be back on the workday track,” Derek said.
He walked the short distance to the kitchenette, punching his brother in the arm as he passed. He poured a large mug for himself and held up another. “Want some?”
“No.”
Derek plopped down at his desk and pointed to an empty chair. “I’ve got a few minutes before I head off to get the crews going for the day. Sit down and tell me why you’re here.”
Cade had a folder with him, which he tossed on the desk as he sat down. “I was at Spring Rock Country Club over the weekend.”
“Good for you. I’m sure our father was pleased.”
“Come on, idiot. The old man had nothing to do with it. I got invited to play golf with Will Bishop, of Reynolds Development. By the time we hit the nineteenth hole for beers, I had closed my biggest contract to date. Holmes Construction will be handling all the new home development for their next three projects.”
Derek whistled. “Impressive, big brother.”
“Yeah, and guess what. They haven’t selected their landscaper yet. I put in a good word for you, but Will likes to do things the good ole boy way.”
“Man, Cade, you know I’m no golfer.”
“No, but you are a card player, and guess what goes on in the card rooms at the club. Poker, big time. Officially, they play for points, but it’s all settled up outside the club later. It’s a pretty serious game, and not just anybody can sit at the table.”
“So what are you suggesting? How do I get in the game?”
“First, you have to be a member.” Cade tapped the folder he had dropped on Derek’s desk. “And that, little bro, is an application for membership. Get it filled out ASAP because Saturday night is the New Member Welcome Dinner, and I’ve bought us both tickets for the event already.”
Derek grimaced. “Can’t I go as your guest?”
“Sure you can. But you’re not closing any deals there on Saturday. You know how it works, Derek. It’s the old style networking game, high end. If you get in Will’s card game, you can get that contract. I have no doubt about that.”
Derek opened the folder and eyed the application. The section at the bottom with the membership dues jumped out for his attention. “Holy crap, Cade. A million bucks? That’s one hell of a price of admission.”
“Yeah. That’s the one-time fee. Then there are the yearly fees. K
eep reading. There’s a whole schedule of payments. But money’s not the issue here, is it?”
Derek shook his head. Situations like this were exactly what he wanted to avoid when he left his father’s house and business. He hated the arrogant bastards his father called friends. Not a sincere or decent man among them. They cheated on their wives, were vicious in business, and slapped each other on the back for each conquest. But they’d just as soon stab one another in the back if it came down to winning a client. Hell, he’d seen feuds arise over golf games. These men held some of the highest political positions in the nation and controlled much of the country’s finances, but they were a bunch of crazy, miserable dirtbags as far as he was concerned.
Derek flipped the folder closed and pushed it across the desk toward Cade. “Sorry. No can do. I’m not getting into bed or boardrooms with these assholes. There’s other ways to make money.”
“Yeah, but not nearly as much or as quickly, and you know it. Look, you told me the other day that you’d plateaued with this biz, didn’t you? You said you needed a fat, long-term contract to push you past the billion dollar mark. Don’t be shortsighted, Derek. This one deal with Will Bishop could do it for you. You don’t have to marry the guy, just schmooze a little over poker. Be a bud. He’s not his father any more than you or I are Dad.”
Derek stood up. “All right. I’ll go on Saturday, but as your guest, not a member. If it looks promising that I can work with Bishop, I’ll join. But I’m not selling my soul to do it.”
Cade grabbed the folder off the desk. “Is that what you think I did?”
“I’m not judging you, Cade. Do what you feel is best for you and your business. Just let me do the same.”
Cade stood up and put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I’m looking out for you, Derek. You may have outgrown me in height and weight, but you’re still my little brother who gets himself into trouble because he’s thick-headed.”
Cade raised his hand and gave Derek a light jab to the chin. “And what were you doing before with your hand down your pants? Someone’s got you distracted from your work. I saw you struggling to focus on that computer screen.”
Derek put his head down and lurched forward, tackling his brother lightly, but enough to knock him backward.
“I gotta go to work. Get out of here before I have resort to playing line backer again full out.”
Cade walked toward the door, turning around before he stepped out.
“Yeah, yeah, little brother. Just remember, nothing’s changed since we were kids. You’ve got the brawn, but I’ve got the brains. We’re better as a pair, Blockhead. One day you’ll listen to me, and we’ll merge our businesses to become one of the most powerful real estate development companies in the world. Good thing I love you enough to be patient.”
Cade flashed a grin and hustled out the door before Derek could reply or shove him out the doorway.
Derek turned off the coffee pot and the lights and grabbed the schedules before leaving to meet his crews. He tried to shake off the bad feeling that going to the club, even for a single dinner event, was a bad idea.
“Let it go for now,” he mumbled to himself as he locked up the trailer. He threw the paperwork on the passenger seat of the truck and was pulling away when his cell phone rang.
Although she came in before seven for an early start, Lauren was unable to concentrate on tax tables and the reports she needed to complete. Instead, she was thinking about her weekend with Derek, and it was making her panties wet, but she savored the discomfort.
She should have let him stay the night. He wanted to, but she was determined to get a good night’s sleep and come to work early. Lot of good it did her. She pushed her chair away from her desk and went to refill her coffee cup in the break room. Thank goodness no one was in yet, so she wouldn’t have to make any small talk.
Back at her desk, she found herself looking over the computer screen and out the window. She didn’t remember him saying he’d call or scheduling a date when he left. He was busy grabbing her breasts and running his hands between her legs, trying to convince her to let him to stay a little longer. It was sweet, she remembered, but now she wished she had something that confirmed there’d be another time together. Ugh, I hate being so desperate. Of course he’ll call.
Lauren forced her attention back to the screen and did a few calculations, but thoughts of Derek never left her consciousness. She had to get their next meeting settled, or she’d be distracted all day.
She dialed his cell.
“Hey, gorgeous, I was just thinking about you.”
Her nervousness about calling him instantly disappeared, replaced by a full-body rush of joy at the sound of his voice.
“I thought maybe I’d catch you early before you got started on your day,” she said.
“Great timing. I’m in the truck on my way to the first job.”
“I won’t keep you long. I came in early to get some reports done before everyone comes in, so I have only a few minutes. I was thinking about you, though, and decided to call and say good morning.”
“I liked the way you said good morning better yesterday, but hearing your voice will have to do for now,” Derek said in his deep, low voice.
Lauren blushed. “Well, I also wanted to invite you over for dinner on Friday.”
She held her breath waiting for his reply. It was a ballsy move for her. She’d never called and asked a man out before.
Derek took several seconds to answer and Lauren continued to hold her breath.
“Man, I’d love that, but I’m leaving on a buying trip later this afternoon, and I won’t be flying home until late Friday night. Can I take a rain check?”
Lauren heart sunk, but she told herself it was a legit excuse. “Sure, how about Saturday then?”
A longer silence this time caused her stomach to turn into knots.
“Damn, sweetheart. My brother roped me into some stupid business dinner for Saturday only a few minutes ago. And I know I’ll be swamped with catch-up stuff during the day after being away all week.”
Lauren managed to croak out a few noises that she hoped would indicate understanding. “No problem. Sooo, I guess I’ll talk to you some other time then,” she said and was about to click off.
“Whoa! Hold on. Give me a minute to think.”
“About what?”
“How about I take you out for dinner on Sunday? In fact, let’s start early. I’ll come over around four to get you.”
Lauren’s heart raced with relief. He did want to see her again! “Sounds good,” she said. “Let me know where we’re going, so I know what to wear.”
In truth, she wanted to make sure he’d call sometime between now and then.
“Will do. I’m pulling up to the site now, but I’ll call you during the week from the road. Would that be all right?”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Good. Talk soon.”
“Bye, Derek. Have a good trip.”
The phone rang the second she clicked off. Lauren checked the call screen and smiled.
“Hi, Daddy!”
“How’s my gorgeous girl?”
“Wow, that’s the second time I’ve been called gorgeous this morning, and it’s barely eight o’clock!”
“Wait a minute, where are you? And who else called you gorgeous?”
Lauren laughed, but realized she shouldn’t have let that slip out. She wasn’t ready to reveal anything about Derek to her family until she felt more secure that there was something real to share. Her father certainly didn’t need to know she’d been having mind-blowing sex, that was for sure.
“I’m at work, and the guy at the coffee shop greeted me when I went in to pick up a bagel for breakfast,” she lied.
“If you’re at work, I won’t keep you long. I’m calling to ask you to join your mother and me at the new member dinner they’re having at the club on Saturday. I hear some young, interesting new people have joined, and it would be a good op
portunity to meet them.”
Lauren sighed. “You mean there’s new male blood coming in, and Mother wants to throw me to the lions.”
Her father chuckled. “You know me too well. Your mother did suggest I call, but I agree with her that it would be a good idea for you to start mingling with people your own age at the club. It’s not all men that joined, either. Several women members have been approved, too.”
“Well, imagine that in the twenty-first century!”
Her sarcasm wasn’t wasted on her father. “That’s enough, I get it. But, please, Lauren, do this as a favor to me. If you say no, your mother will continue to harass me all week long.”
Lauren knew he was right. “All right, Daddy, for you.”
“And I’m serious about you making some friends at the club. There’s been a big turnover in the membership, and you could at least give it a chance, you know.”
“Fine. What time should I meet you there?”
“No need to drive. We’ll pick you up at six o’clock.”
Lauren heard the finality in her father’s voice and knew it was senseless to argue. “OK, Daddy. See you then.”
She heard noise in the office outside her cubicle, which meant her co-workers were trickling in. “I’ve got to go now, though. Monday morning meeting and all.”
“Sure, honey, have a good day.”
Lauren opened the calendar app on her phone and entered her two new dates for Saturday and Sunday. She left Saturday’s event posted in black ink, but added a heart icon next to Derek’s name in red and highlighted the event with her cursor. She looked at her screen and thought for a moment that the red color actually oozed out of the heart.
She dismissed the disturbing thought as the alarm from her laptop buzzed, signaling her that her department meeting was beginning in five minutes.