“Way to ruin the moment,” I joke, pursing my lips.
“You’ve been holding out on me, Gin.” He says, his thumb caresses my chin.
I look away with a smile and he puts his arms around me and embraces me in a hug. I press my lips on his shoulder as I look behind him at the ocean. I concentrate on the sound of the waves as my heart begins to beat normally again.
He’s such a great kisser. I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m sure he’s had a lot of practice.
He has his hands clasped on my lower back. His hug is tight and makes me feel secure. I rest my forehead on his shoulder and close my eyes.
“Are you falling asleep?” He asks after a moment.
“Maybe.” I laugh as I pull away. “What time is it?”
He brings his left hand up so he can check his silver watch. “It’s almost one.” He looks at me. “I’m sorry, I’ve been a little selfish, haven't I?”
I smile at him. “You didn’t force me to do anything.”
“Hmm, good point,” He says then he straightens up. “Come on, let’s find a hotel.”
I raise an eyebrow at him and he smiles. “Don’t worry, we’ll get separate rooms.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
We get in the car and settle for a nearby oceanside hotel. As promised, Derek gets two rooms. We’re right across from each other and he has his arm around my shoulders as we get on the elevator.
He kisses me as we stop outside my door. The hallway is empty and quiet so I close my eyes and enjoy the kiss. We kiss until we run out of breath and he looks at me hazily. “Are you sure you don’t want to cuddle?”
“I snore.” I warn.
“So do I.” He grins.
I bite my lip, contemplating. Cuddling with him sounds so inviting. “You keep pushing your luck.” I tease, feeling myself giving in.
He shrugs. “It’s what I do.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Fine.”
He grins then leans over and presses the card against the card reader on the door and there is a click. He opens it and we walk in. I would feel bad about making him pay for two rooms if he weren’t a millionaire. Besides, he’s the one who tempted me.
I groan as I kick off my shoes. “I’m too tired to shower.”
Derek lays on the bed and pats the space next to him. “You don’t need to shower, come here.”
I shut the lights then lay next to him. He places his hand on my stomach and then he leans down and presses his lips against mine. The butterflies in my stomach go wild as we make out in the dark room. He sticks his tongue inside my mouth and I bite back a moan and press my legs together. We kiss until our lips are swollen.
I turn around before I allow myself to do something I might regret. He puts his arm around my waist and he presses his chest against my back. He kisses the back of my head and I close my eyes. The bed feels so good and Derek’s body pressed against mine feels even better. I wish I wasn’t exhausted so I could keep kissing him but my body betrays me and I fall asleep quickly.
◆◆◆
We have breakfast at a restaurant in Santa Monica Pier the next morning. He’s recognized as soon as we walk in and I have never received such great service by a waiter before.
The morning was full of flirting and kissing. I woke up before him and got in the shower. We kissed some more after he got out of the shower. I didn’t want to leave the hotel room. And now I’m facing the sad truth: it’s time to go back to New York.
It feels like we’ve been in this little perfect bubble and it’s about to burst with reality. It was just one day but it felt like it was way more than that. I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get back to New York. Is his infatuation with me going to be gone? Is he still going to pursue me? How long is this going to last?
So many questions are flowing through my head as we walk on the beach after breakfast. It’s a little past eleven and the sun is bright up in the sky. There are people running around. Some playing with their dogs, others sitting down and reading a book. This is making me miss Newport even more.
Derek and I find a spot and sit down next to each other.
I look around us and spot a group of grown men a couple of feet away. They all have cameras and are just watching us.
“Uh, I’m pretty sure we’re being watched,” I say to Derek and he follows my gaze.
He reaches out and puts an arm around me. “Just ignore them.”
I look up at him. “Isn’t it exhausting to be followed around all the time?”
He shrugs. “It’s never really bothered me.”
“Because you enjoy it.”
He grins at me. “It’s not so bad.” He presses his lips against mine. “Why don’t we give them a show?” He asks against my lips making me smile.
He deepens the kiss with his tongue and my back ends up hitting the sand. I place my hand on the back of his neck and run my fingers go through his soft hair. I can’t believe I’m making out with Derek Collins and it’s amazing. He’s such a good kisser. His mouth is possessive over mine and I love the way he runs his hands around my waist as we kiss.
I’m getting addicted to him very quickly and while I know I should be careful, I’m too deep in to care.
Even if this bubble bursts tomorrow when we’re back in New York, at least I’ll have his kisses to remember and that seems like a good bargain…at least for now.
17. more than a friend
It’s weird to go to class Monday morning after the weekend that I had with Derek.
We landed in New York last night at around nine. I got to fly in Derek’s private plane which was super cool. It was nice not to be around people. It was just us. He had his head rested on my shoulder and ended up taking a nap during the flight.
I wish the weekend didn’t have to end but we had to come back to reality. Well, I had to come back to reality. I realize that every day could be like that for Derek. Not for me though. I need to get back to school and work and real life.
In the morning, Derek sends me a good morning text that makes me swoon in my room.
I’m trying not to dwell too much on how scary this is but it’s freaking me out how quickly I’m falling for him. It’s scaring the hell out of me and I just hope that he’s feeling the same way.
I also wake up to pictures of Derek and me all over the internet. My followers on Instagram have tripled overnight. It’s overwhelming to scroll through Twitter and see pictures of myself kissing Derek at the beach. Everyone has an opinion. There are people that have nice things to say and there are people that criticize my looks. I’m seen making out with Derek and there are already many rumors that are not true.
I read an article titled EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEREK’S MATCH and I’m surprised by how quickly the media knows all these things about me. They know where I go to school and what I’m going to school for; they also know where I work. All that information is suddenly out there. It’s only a matter of time before they find my family and that’s the scariest part of it all. I don’t want them to be questioned or bothered because I decided to date a celebrity.
As expected, my sister calls me in the morning. I can’t answer because I’m in class but I call her later as I walk to work.
“Hey, how are you?” I ask casually when she answers. “Sorry I couldn’t answer earlier.”
“Hey, Sav. We’re all good. It’s fine. I figured you were busy.”
It’s so good to hear her voice and I suddenly feel embarrassed to tell her about everything that’s happened in the last 48 hours. “So, what’s up?” I look straight ahead as I walk.
“What’s up?” She repeats laughing. “Uh, you know, the usual. Just saw pictures of you kissing a celebrity in California.”
“Oh,” I say quietly, feeling my cheeks grow hot. “You saw that, huh?”
“Sav, you’re trending.” She laughs. “What is going on? You were in California? Are you there now?”
“Yes, I was,” I say. “I’m back in New Yo
rk, though. I’m on my way to work.”
“What is going on? Are you really dating Derek Collins?”
“Uh.” I laugh, nervously. “I guess I am?”
“Wow, this is wild.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Tell me about it.”
“You tell me about it! What is he like? I saw the pictures. He’s very handsome, Sav. I mean, I couldn’t find a single picture where he didn’t look good.”
“Careful, Josh might get jealous.” I tease.
“Josh isn’t here right now.” She jokes. “I can’t believe you were in California.”
“Yeah, it was very fun.”
“So…how serious is it?”
“We’re just dating,” I say. “He asked me to be his girlfriend.”
“And?”
“I don’t know if I’m there, honestly.”
“Do you like him?”
I roll my eyes at the sidewalk. “Yes.”
“How did you even meet him? I read that it was through a dating app? I thought you hated dating apps.”
“I do,” I say then I take a deep breath and tell her everything that has happened since Derek and I were matched through the app. Natalie listens attentively, asking questions here and there but there is no judgment in her voice. She sounds excited for me.
“I love that you’re not being easy,” She says after I finish. “You’re worth so much, Sav, and he should work to win you over.”
“It just started as a way to teach him a lesson,” I say as I cross the street. There are cars everywhere and it’s a little hard to hear her. I have to press the phone close to my ear as we talk.
She laughs. “You would. That is so you.”
I laugh with her then I sigh. “I think I like him too much, Nat.”
“I know,” She says and I feel like she really does know what I’m going through. “You have to be careful. Don’t, you know, get your hopes up too much.”
I gulp. It sucks to hear it but I know she’s right.
“I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer,” Natalie says when I don’t say anything. “I know I don’t know him personally but he is a celebrity, Sav, and they’re always jumping from girl to girl. I hope it doesn’t happen. Just be careful.”
“Yeah, I know,” I say with a frown as I stop outside the back door of the restaurant. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you.”
“It’s okay. I’ve been busy with Samuel myself. He’s a handful.” She laughs.
I smile. “I can’t wait to meet him and see Mom and Dad and you. I really miss you.”
“We all miss you too, Sav.”
She catches me up on what’s been going on back home until I have to clock in for work. Everyone at work acts weird around me as I make my way into the kitchen.
“Hey, Savannah.”
“Good to see you, Savannah.”
“Saw you on TV last night. You’re famous.”
Oh. That explains it. People are not usually that friendly around here. The oldest ones look unbothered as they keep working. I just smile and nod at everyone’s comments, feeling a little embarrassed and overwhelmed at the same time.
“Everyone has been talking about you,” Kim says as I stand next to her.
“Oh God.”
Kim shoots me a smile. “You’re famous. Just remember I was here first, okay?”
I roll my eyes at her. “I’m not famous.”
“Oh no, you’re just dating a famous celebrity,” She says. “That basically makes you famous too, you know.” She nudges my shoulder. “How was California?”
We don’t have the chance to finish our conversation because we’re rushing the line as soon as service starts. I feel surprisingly good at work. It’s probably thanks to the amazing weekend I had.
After work, I agree to go with Kim and get a drink. I know she’s dying for me to give her the details on what happened over the weekend. So we walk to Culinary Drop-Out when we’re out of work. My phone vibrates as we’re walking and I reach for it in my back pocket. It’s a text from Derek.
Hey, Gin. You at work?
I smile then text him back. Hey, I’m out. I’m heading to the bar with Kim
Cool. Can I join you?
I turn to look at Kim. “Would you mind if Derek joins us?”
Her whole face brightens up. “Um, are you kidding? Of course not.”
I shake my head with a smile as I text Derek back. He responds right away to let me know he’ll be here in a few minutes. I already can’t wait to see him. I know I just saw him yesterday but I miss him. I know we won’t always be able to see each other every day and I don’t know what I’m going to do on those days.
“Hey.” Adrian, the bartender, greets us as we sit by the bar. “Long time no see,” He says looking at me.
I shrug. “It was becoming too much of a habit.” I joke.
He grins. “Gin and tonic?”
I nod. “Yes, please.”
“I’ll have a beer,” Kim says when Adrian asks her.
“So?” She asks me as soon as he walks away. “How was it? I saw the pictures on Twitter.”
“Has everyone seen them?” I wonder.
Derek and I were making out on the beach. I know it’s too late to worry about PDA but I suddenly am. I hope my parents don’t see them. That would be so awkward. Everyone probably thinks I’m one of those easy girls now. I really didn’t think this over.
“Uh, yeah,” Kim says then begins to stand up. “Hold up. I need to pee. I’ll be right back.”
I nod as Adrian places my drink in front of me. “Thank you,” I say, bringing the glass up to my lips.
“For the record,” He says. “I saw the pictures too.”
“Oh God,” I say, sheepishly, covering my face with my hands. I’m glad I have my back to the rest of the restaurant because I’m starting to feel like everyone is looking at me.
“It kind of disappointed me.” Adrian continues and I give him a confused look. He shrugs. “I thought you would be immune to his famous self.”
“I didn’t go out with him because he’s famous,” I say, feeling a little defensive. This is what people are going to think though, right? They probably think I’m some gold-digger looking for someone to take me out of work and sustain me. The thought makes my stomach churn.
“I know,” Adrian says with a kind smile. He leans in closer across the bar and I’m suddenly reminded of how attractive he is. “I just wish I would’ve asked you for your number that night. Then, maybe, I would’ve had a chance.”
“Adrian…” I say, with a shy smile.
He shrugs with a grin on his handsome face. “I’ll just wait now.” His eyes meet mine. “You’re too good for him, Savannah, you know that, right?”
I don’t know what to say and before I can even make up a sentence, the door of the bar opens and the bells ding with it. Adrian holds my gaze as Derek approaches us.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?”
I break the staring contest with Adrian and turn to look at Derek. He’s wearing black joggers with running shoes and a white pullover sweater. He’s narrowing his eyes at Adrian. Is he jealous? Why is that so hot?
“Just having a conversation,” Adrian says, looking unbothered as if he wasn’t just hitting on me or whatever that was anyway.
Derek’s eyes move over to me and he raises his eyebrows as Adrian walks away.
“What?” I ask, innocently as I reach for my drink. I take a sip. “Adrian is my friend.”
“Your friend, huh?” He asks taking a step closer to me.
I’m still sitting down and I look up at him as he places his hand on the bar. He leans in and his right hand goes up to my cheek. He strokes my jawline with his thumb before raising my chin up so my lips can meet his in a kiss. Oh, he’s definitely jealous of Adrian and his possessive lips prove it.
I wish I wasn’t fully aware that we’re in a restaurant surrounded by eager eyes. I place my hand on his strong chest. “Derek,” I say against his l
ips.
“I better be more than a friend to you,” He says in a low voice as he pulls away to look at me.
I gulp as I purse my lips. God. Why is he so hot?
“Oh, hi.”
Derek smiles at Kim as he straightens up. “Hi, Kim, right?”
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