I feel him walk towards me. He puts his arms around my waist from behind. “It’s still a nice room,” He says moving my hair to the side, exposing my neck. “It smells like you.” He presses his lips on the crook of my neck and I stop breathing. “I love the way you smell, Gin,” He says, his lips move against my skin.
The tingles in my stomach are making my knees feel weak. The pleasure I feel with the way he’s holding me and kissing me is immense. It’s almost too much to handle. I’ve never experienced pleasure like this for just a kiss.
He kisses my neck again and this time, I feel his wet tongue. I close my eyes involuntary and bite my lip to keep myself from making a sound.
“And I love the way you taste,” He says.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice is a whisper.
He spins me around so that I’m facing him, his hands lock behind my back keeping me in his arms. His eyes roam all over my face, making me feel self-conscious. “You’re beautiful, Gin,” He says looking into my eyes. “And sexy.”
I smile as he leans in to kiss me. His cap hits my forehead, making me laugh.
“Sorry,” He says, as he reaches out to take it off. He continues to kiss me without skipping a beat.
I put my arms around his neck as he deepens the kiss. The kiss is hot and wet. It makes me forget where I am and what I’m supposed to be doing. I’ve never been kissed the way Derek kisses me. I’m not sure what’s so different about it. It’s probably just that it’s him. Derek Collins. I’m making out with the hot and sexy Derek Collins and it’s beyond amazing.
He moves down to my neck and I pull my head back and run my hands through his hair as he kisses me. One of his hands moves lower, almost resting on my butt. I’m almost too embarrassed to admit it but I wish he would touch me. I want to feel his hands on me. He presses me closer to him and my eyes open in surprise when I feel his hardness on my pelvic bone.
He straightens up and looks down at me, a smile playing on his lips. They are red and swollen and I feel a sense of pride knowing that it was because he was kissing me.
“Is that for me?” I whisper looking up at him. I don’t need to tell him what that is, he knows what I’m talking about. His mischievous grin says it all.
“Why are you so surprised, Gin?” He asks, his blue eyes are full of desire.
I can feel my cheeks grow hot as I smile. “I didn’t know you felt that way about me.”
He chuckles. “You’re too modest.” He presses his lips against mine. “Of course I want you.” He squeezes my ass and I gasp. My breathing is suddenly out of control. “You look scared,” He says looking concerned. “Did I do something wrong?”
I shake my head. “No,” I say then I look away for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts. “It’s just too soon,” I say looking up at him. And I love that you just touched my ass.
“I know,” He says then he takes a deep breath. His arms loosen around me and I almost want to protest. “I’m sorry,” He says looking at me. “I don’t want to pressure you into anything.”
“Oh, really?” I smile, teasingly. “Is that why you invited me over to spend the night at your house?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “I just want to spend more time with you, Gin. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
I nod slowly. “Okay.”
“I think I better wait outside,” He says then he kisses me again before turning around and walking out of my room. I hear the apartment door shut close seconds later.
I take a deep breath, trying to get my heartbeat to come down back to normal. It’s too hot in here. I feel flushed and it takes me a moment to remember what I was doing before he kissed me.
After a moment, I finish packing and head outside to meet Derek, still feeling his tongue against my skin.
22. the perfect match
I’ve wondered what it’s like to be on TV before. I’ve always turned to gossip shows for entertainment. I usually watch them during my breaks and lunch at work. Of course, that was before I became the gossip.
I haven’t tuned into those channels since I began seeing Derek.
Never in my life did I think I would ever be the person in front of the camera. Have I wondered what it feels like? Yes. Was I close? No.
If I had to choose one word to describe it, it would be stressful. I watch in amazement as the camera crew work behind the scenes. Ian, Derek and I are sitting in highchairs with me sitting in the middle. I don’t know whose idea it was. I wish I was on the other side of Derek, somehow that would make me feel safer.
Next to Ian is a high table and the host on the other side. Her name is Jen. They are fixing her make-up as we get ready to start the interview. Her and Ian have been chatting since we got here. Ian doesn’t look nervous at all. He laughs and smiles excitedly. His app is getting good publicity, why wouldn’t he be happy? Meanwhile, I don’t know how to get my hands to stop sweating.
Derek’s big hand suddenly goes on top of mine and I look up at him. He looks absolutely gorgeous in his black suit. The make-up crew didn’t have to do much to make him look good. He literally woke up like this.
Last night, I crashed as soon as I laid on the bed of one of his guest rooms. Him and Ian stayed up late playing video games. I know because Ian was sleeping on the couch the next morning. Sleeping in Derek’s house should’ve been weird…but it wasn’t. I felt welcomed and comfortable, as if last night wasn’t the first time I slept over at his house. The bed was way more comfortable than mine and the sun coming through the windows was, somehow, shiner. I still can’t believe he just asked me to sleep over at his house. I hope he didn’t do it because he’s used to inviting girls over. I’m too scared to ask him or find out. I want to stay in this little fantasy for a little longer.
“Are you alright?” He asks softly, his blue eyes look into mine.
I nod slowly. “Just nervous.” I admit then smile sheepishly. “Don’t let me say anything stupid.”
He chuckles then reaches out to stroke my cheek with the back of his hand. “You won’t. It’ll be fine.”
“How do you do it?” I ask, suddenly curious.
I’m sure he’s done thousands of interviews in his career. I don’t doubt that he was good from the very first one. If there is one thing that I know for sure, it’s that the camera loves Derek Collins.
He shrugs then glances at the cameras in front of us. “I just remind myself that all the people that support me are behind those cameras and I always want to put on a good show for them.” He pauses. “Plus, I know I look amazing.” He winks at me, making me laugh.
I feel my shoulders relax. He smiles at me and I realize what he has done. The tingles in my stomach go wild. How is it that this man that I barely know, knows exactly how to ease my nerves?
I want to kiss him but I can’t forget about all the people around us, much less the cameras that are probably already recording. Before I can do or say anything, Jen lets us know that we are about to start. Derek straightens up in his chair and I mimic him; he is the expert here after all.
I do feel less nervous. I remind myself that it’s not just me up here. There’s Ian and Derek. They’re the ones people want to hear from, not me, and I will gladly keep my mouth shut.
I put on a small smile on my face as the countdown behind the camera begins and then we’re recording.
“Good morning, New York! I’m Jen Montana and it’s time to dive into the hottest dating app right now, MATCH ME.”
She sounds so confident, I start to believe that I can do this. I can get through this without making a fool out of myself. I just have to smile and look like I know what I’m doing. Easy enough, right?
“I have Ian Wilson here with me,” Jen smiles excitedly at the camera. “And none other than Derek Collins and his girlfriend, Savannah Garcia. As everyone knows,” She turns to smile at me and I smile back. “Savannah is Derek’s match from the app but before we hear from the hottest couple of the moment,” She says then
looks at Ian. “Ian, why don’t you tell us a bit about your app?”
“Right on,” Ian says with a grin. “Well, the app launched a couple of months ago and it’s been so great to see so many people connecting through it.”
“Will you explain a bit about how it works?” Jen asks.
“Of course.”
“The first step is to download it.” Derek jokes. Jen and I laugh.
Ian rolls his eyes at him then looks at the camera. “Don’t mind the noise in the back.” He jokes then he grins. “You do have to download the app, like Mr. Captain Obvious pointed out.” He gives Derek an amused look.
“You’re welcome,” Derek says, then chuckles.
Ian shakes his head with a smile. “Anyway, you would make a profile after downloading the app.”
“Oh yes,” Jen says. “There’s a series of questions, right?”
“Oh?” Ian grins. “You on it?”
Jen smiles. “Of course.” She smiles at the camera. “Everyone is talking about it. I had to see what it’s about.”
“That's great.” Ian grins. “I designed the questions based of what people care about when meeting people. What their hobbies are, what they hate, what they love, what their favorite food is.”
“So, are you matched with the person that has the same answers as you?”
“That’s where the secret is, Jen,” Ian smiles as he speaks. There is excitement in his eyes. I can tell how passionate he is about his app. It’s so interesting to hear him talk about it. “Ever heard the phrase, ‘opposites attract’?”
“Of course.” Jen nods.
“Well, that is not always true. It has been scientifically proven that people are attracted to individuals that have their same point of views and values. But it’s also been found that people who are too similar to each other are not likely to last. Just like being with someone that is too different from you is likely to cause issues.”
Jen frowns, looking intrigued. “So how does your app solve this problem?”
“I came up with a formula that will match you with someone that is both similar and different from you, at just the perfect ratio.” Ian uses his hands as he speaks. I can tell he’s great at public speaking. I’m sure he didn’t struggle like I did.
Jen raises her eyebrows. “Wow, that’s very interesting.”
“It works.” Ian says, confidently.
“I believe it.” Jen smiles at me then at Derek. “I mean, there’s proof of it with the couple sitting right next to you.” Both Ian and Jen turn to look at me and I try my best to hide my nerves. I try not to think about the camera facing me or my face showing up on TV somewhere. It’s just us in a room, alone. No one else.
“Do you agree with what Ian said, Savannah?” Jen asks me and I gulp.
She said my name. I have to answer.
The thing is, I don’t know if I agree with Ian. I don’t think I do. Derek and I couldn't be any more different. We’re from two completely different worlds. I would have to believe that opposites do attract or I wouldn’t be so attracted to Derek. Then again, a freaking tree would probably be attracted to Derek Collins so I probably don’t know anything.
“Uh,” I look at Ian then smile at Jen. “Honestly?”
“Of course.” Jen encourages.
I glance at Derek and he smiles at me, also encouraging me to be honest. I smile as I look at Jen. “I don’t think Derek and I could be any more different.”
Jen smiles. “Is that why you turned him down at first?”
“Part of it, yes,” I say.
“How did you feel the moment you were matched to him?”
“Shocked,” I say and we all laugh.
“That’s understandable.” Jen says with a smile.
“Can we not talk about that? It was a very traumatizing experience.” Derek jokes amusedly.
“Yeah, he took it really hard.” Ian continues.
I laugh and Jen looks at Derek. “What do you think, Derek?”
Derek looks at me and I swear that it feels like he is looking straight into my soul. His look is so intense and personal. Can they feel it too? How does he have the ability to do that?
“I think that we are different,” He says softly. “But we’re also similar.”
I look away with a smile.
“It’s the perfect match,” Ian says looking at us.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Derek says reaching for my hand.
It feels like I’m going to melt on this chair right in front of all these cameras.
“This is the GMNY and we’ll be right back,” Jen says to the camera and we all stay in our positions until we get the signal that the cameras have stopped rolling.
“You’re too good at this.” I accuse looking at Derek after Jen excuses herself and Ian takes a phone call.
He laughs. “What does that mean?”
“You’re too good in front of cameras.”
“You think I was acting.” He realizes after a thoughtful pause.
I shrug. “You’re saying what they want to hear.”
“You’re right. That’s what I usually do.” He reaches out and places his hand on my cheek. “But, Gin, I really do like you.”
Why does it feel like it’s been weeks since I’ve heard him call me Gin?
Am I seriously starting to like that name more than my own name? Geez. What would my parents say?
I smile at him. “I didn’t say anything I wasn’t supposed to, right?”
“You were amazing.”
We both turn to look at Ian as he sits back down next to me.
“You’re doing great.” Derek agrees with him. “You’re a natural. See? We’re similar.”
I can’t help but smile. He’s too smooth for his own good.
When Jen comes back, we record the second part of the interview which is basically about Derek’s upcoming movie. I’m glad the hard part is over. Now I just get to smile and laugh at the right time, though I find myself feeling more comfortable. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.
The interview will air Monday morning, so I make a mental note to stay off social media for the rest of the week. I don’t want to see it or read rude comments. I know people will always have something bad to say and I’m not mentally stable for it.
There are paparazzi waiting for us later when we walk out of the building. Derek takes the lead and he holds my hand, pulling me behind him protectively. I look down at the ground, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.
I can’t believe that this is what my life has turned into. I've seen so many celebrities being followed by stubborn paparazzi and somehow, I’m one of them. Okay, I know I’m not a celebrity but I feel like one.
I’m not sure if I like it…but I do like Derek and this attraction that I feel towards him is enough for me to endure this. These cameras are nothing when Derek is holding my hand, making me feel like the only girl that matters.
23. show you off
I convince Derek to take me back to my apartment Friday night. I wasn’t able to take Saturday off completely but I was able to switch shifts with Pam, so I’m working the morning shift and she’s covering my evening shift.
Kim is also working the morning shift and I catch her up on everything that’s been happening with Derek. Will this ever stop feeling like a dream? How did I end up dating a celebrity? How is this real life? This is the kind of stuff that happens in movies. It’s just unreal…yet it’s very real. It’s happening.
I begin to stress myself out as the morning passes by. I’m sure that there’s going to be a lot of people at this party; most of them will probably be famous. What am I going to wear? It’s a pool party, though I’m not sure if people are actually going to get in the pool because the weather is a bit cold. Then again, Derek probably also has a jacuzzi. Now that sounds amazing, but I’ll probably be too nervous to get in or do anything.
I get out of work at around six and I head home. Derek calls me just as I’m getting out of
the shower.
“Hey, Gin. I’m on my way to pick you up.”
I frown at my reflection on the mirror. “Pick me up? I was just going to get a taxi.”
“What? No way. That’s not necessary. I’m on my way.”
“Uh—okay.”
“See you in a bit.”
“Okay, bye.”
I walk out of the bathroom and try not to panic as I look for something to wear. I thought I had at least two hours to get ready so I need to hurry up. I put on a sky blue thin-strap dress that goes down mid-thigh. It’s basic as hell but I really don’t have anything else. The rest of my clothes consist of leggings and jeans and sweaters and I already wore my other black dress on our first date. I blow dry my hair as fast as I can then put on my heels.
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