by Kate Stone
"Ashley said," She blushed, realizing she was about to spill the beans on their conversation, and tried again. "Ashley said you liked me back when we were in high school. Is that true?"
Now it was his turn to blush. "Um, yeah," he said, shyly. "I mean, I... Look, I know this is awkward. With Ashley, and everything. But yeah."
She groaned, putting a hand to her face. "But that means you were into me when I had braces and greasy hair!"
He laughed. "And I had glasses and acne scars. We're perfect for each other." He brushed a piece of hair out of her face. "Besides, you have a big heart. That was always the first thing I saw."
Meghan caught his hand in hers and their fingers intertwined. "You think so?"
"Come on," he said, smiling, "you literally brought that pigeon with a broken wing to the wildlife rescue. You're like a real life Disney Princess."
"Shit, I forgot you were there for that." She frowned. "But if that's how you felt, why did you never say anything back then?"
"Ashley, mostly," he answered. "I didn't want to make it awkward. And then I ended up in Santa Cruz, and after that it was too late. But seeing you in that audition," he rolled so he was on his side, "old feelings die hard."
"Thank God," said Meghan, and placed his hand on her breast. He caught her nipple between his fingers, rolling it as she leaned closer to him. Her lips found his and they sat up, his other hand taking hold of her other breast as she pushed him backwards onto the bed, straddling him. He glided into her easily, emerald gaze fixed on hers as they lost themselves in each other once again.
Chapter 6
”Well?" demanded Ashley, setting her cafeteria tray down and sliding into a seat next to Meghan. It was midday on Monday and it would be a lie to say she'd paid the slightest amount of attention to her classes so far. Not the best idea during midterm season, but then again, neither was fucking your best friend's brother, and that certainly hadn't stopped her.
She couldn't stop thinking about last night. Spanish, Drama, Astronomy held no interest for her. All she could think about was Derek, the pleasure he gave her, and how safe she felt with him.
The idea of her leaving him last night hadn't even crossed their minds, especially with Greg away. Meghan could still feel Derek's strong arms around her, cradling her as she drifted off to sleep, his mouth and nose pressed against the back of her head, his warm breath gently stirring her brown hair. She was lucky to be a light sleeper, as she realized when she awoke that she'd completely forgotten to set an alarm. She scrambled to get ready, doing her best to clean herself up and look as put-together as she could after such an amazing night.
Derek stirred as she dressed, and when she turned to him she saw that he was watching her. "You're incredible," he told her, voice full of admiration, and she floated back over to him, planting a long, deep kiss on his mouth.
"You too," she had said simply. "I'll see you at the read-through today."
The walk of shame had been more like a sprint of shame, but in the end she'd made it to her performance studies class as the professor was setting up. All she could hope was that her obvious elation wouldn't elicit any raised eyebrows from her classmates, but even that hardly seemed to matter. Funny, that.
"Meghan, I'm losing you, buddy," said Ashley, making her jump. She realized she hadn't yet responded to her friend.
"What?" she said. "I'm sorry, I was lost in thought."
"I bet," said Ashley. "You didn't come home last night."
The blood rushed to her face. She looked at Ashley and the sight of her incredulous expression was almost enough to make her laugh. Her attempt at a poker face must have failed, because as soon as they made eye contact, Ashley grabbed her water glass. "Ew. Okay, no. Never mind. Don't say anything. I don't want to think about it."
Meghan laughed. "This is your fault, you know," she said, sitting up in her chair and doing her best earnest friend impression. 'Meghan, I need a favor!'"
"I wasn't expecting the two of you to go this fast!" protested Ashley, but there was a smile on her face. "Well," she said, leaning in, "just tell me one thing: are you going to see him again?"
"Yes," replied Meghan. Oh, yes.
Her Monday classes ended at noon, which meant her afternoon was open to go to Derek's table read- and whatever else, she thought giddily- he might want to do after that. She'd been the last person cast in the production, and as she crossed the quad while going over her lines, she wondered who Derek had chosen to play Scott. If he was someone in one of the top-level studios, this could be her chance to rebuild her reputation among the other acting students. She hadn't forgotten that was the reason she'd taken this role in the first place - the connections she made now could make or break her career.
They were meeting in the studio this time, and after the whirlwind of the last couple days, Meghan pushed open the heavy doors thinking nothing would catch her off guard anymore. She was mistaken.
There were three people in the room and her eyes went to the tall figure staring at the mirror in the back, arms crossed over his chest. He turned around when she entered, and a look of genuine surprise flickered across his face. "Meghan?"
"James?"
Her jaw could have hit the floor. James Ridley, celebrated senior-year drama student and Professor McGowan's star pupil. James Ridley, the polar opposite to Derek - dark-haired, olive-skinned, looking like the Italian movie star he was most likely to become. James Ridley, her ex-boyfriend. But what was he doing here?
"Uh, long time no see," Meghan stuttered. The last time she'd spoken to him had been a semester ago, and she had almost forgoten his words about being unable to continue the relationship after her blowup with Professor McGowan. Almost, but not quite. And now she felt the sting of an old wound being reopened. "What are you -" she began, but Derek had already gotten to his feet.
"Sorry," Derek said, approaching them. "My fault for not introducing you two earlier. Meghan, this is James Ridley. He's our Scott."
"Really?" She turned to him, eyes wide.
"Yeah, can you believe it?" asked Derek, beaming. "This guy's got agents knocking down his door and he wanted to be in my film."
He's star struck, Meghan realized. James smiled and clapped Derek on the shoulder. "Just one agent, and that's not even a done deal," he said. "But thanks for making me feel like a hot commodity."
"But I figured you would be in Pygmalion," blurted Meghan. "How did you make time to do a student film?"
"I was never a fan of the play," said James. "Besides, I was kind of getting tired of stage productions. They start to drain on you after a while, you know?"
Derek looked from James to Meghan. "So you know each other?" Meghan rubbed the back of her neck, looking to James for help.
"We dated a bit last year," James said, eyes meeting hers for a moment. Derek frowned, and Meghan bit her lip. This was a complication she hadn't been expecting. You'd best stop expecting anything, said the little voice inside her. This was one too many curveballs for one week.
"Oh. I didn't know," said Derek, running a hand through his hair. "I hope this isn't going to be too awkward, then." There was worry in his tone, and he looked at Meghan.
"Don't worry about it," she said, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. James eyed the couple. "It didn't work out, but there's no hard feelings. It's okay, really." Derek smiled at her, and the knot that was forming in her stomach loosened a little. He was a chill guy. It would be fine.
James nodded. "It was a mutual thing." Right, mutual, she thought, with a pang of sadness. "Anyway, it will be good to act with you again, Meghan," he added, extending his hand. "It's been too long."
She let go of Derek long enough to shake James' hand, and they turned to the other girl, who was sitting at a table, thumbing through her script. "This is Alicia," said Derek, and the girl waved to them. "She's a sophomore. She'll be playing Molly."
"Well, this should be fun," said James, grinning. "How do you want to do this, Derek?"
They sat around one of the round tables, Alicia shifting to make room while James searched for his script. "Since we're all here, I think we should start with the party scene," said Derek. He moved his chair closer to Meghan's and leaned in to murmur in her ear. "When this is over we can get back to the real romance." She shivered at the feel of his warm breath on her cheek, and found herself struggling to hide a smile as they prepared to begin reciting.
"Whenever you're ready," said Derek, his hand coming to rest on Meghan's thigh. "Action."
"Hey, Erica, are you ready to -" began James, suddenly taking on a different persona. He stopped, eyes widening as he looked at the page. This was the part where Scott walked in on a drunk Erica coming onto Molly in a back room. "What's going on?" he asked, looking from Alicia to Meghan.
"I..." recited Meghan trying to focus on being Erica. She inhaled sharply when she felt Derek's hand move farther up her leg. He gave her thigh a playful squeeze, and she continued, "I can explain."
"I don't know what's going on between you two," recited Alicia. "Maybe I should go."
"No, no." James' voice was rising. "I think you should stay. Maybe you two can explain why you were making out back here while I was looking for my girlfriend." He looked to Meghan with a perfect mix of hurt, anger, and confusion. Meghan was still amazed at his ability to play so many emotions at once.
"I'm sorry," protested Meghan. "I was drunk."
"That's your excuse for everything," muttered James. "Grow up, Erica."
Derek's hand had continued to roam up her leg, and his fingers found the top of her jeans. She glanced at him, and he smirked wickedly as he began to work at the button. She looked back at James, trying to focus. "You said you were leaving," she said, locking eyes with him. "Just like everyone else always does. So I'm doing what I always do."
"I'm leaving," Alicia piped up. "This isn't my business. Erica. I'll see you at work." She sat back in her chair, closing her script and leaving James and Meghan to stare at each other.
Derek had gotten her jeans open and slid his hand down under her panties. Meghan practically spasmed when she felt him begin to explore her once more, but James didn't seem to notice.
"I thought you were better than this, Erica," he said, leaning in closer to her.
Meghan struggled to maintain eye contact, squeezing her legs together as she felt Derek begin to toy with her clit. There was something thrilling about the fact that he was touching her under the table, less than five feet away from the others. She had never done anything sexual before when there was a risk of being spotted. She trusted Derek and supposed there was a first time for everything.
She cleared her throat and focused on James. "So did I."
There was a pause as they waited for Derek to end the scene. Meghan swallowed hard, keeping her gaze fixed on her co-actor. Just be normal, just be normal she thought. Sparks were flowing up from between her legs and it was all she could do not to moan. She could feel an orgasm building as Derek continued to stroke her, picking up his pace. Suddenly he withdrew his hand. "And, scene," he said. "That was great." He winked at Meghan, who was still reeling from his touch.
James was looking at her. "Yeah," he agreed after a long moment. "Yeah, it was." There was something unreadable on his face, and he remained quiet as he sat back in his chair. Alicia was looking at her nails, and Meghan stole a glance at Derek while they prepared to continue the read-through. He gave her a sly smile, and something told her that they weren't done here. Not by a long shot.
She was correct. Even as they wrapped up for the day, she could feel Derek's eyes on her. He touched her lower back as they said their goodbyes, his fingertips grazing the skin under the hem of her shirt. James still wore that odd expression, but by now she had other priorities. She wanted more of what Derek had given her last night - not just the pleasure, but the sense of connectedness that had crashed down on them when their bodies were one. She wanted to feel that intimacy again.
Derek was pushing their chairs in when she came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his lean torso and planting a kiss on his neck - as far up as she could reach on his tall frame. He turned and put his hands on her waist, grinning at her. "Was that too much, earlier?" he asked, and she could tell it was an honest question. "And with your ex there, if you were uncomfortable, tell me."
Meghan grinned, shaking her head. "No. It was really hot, actually." She blushed, and put her hands up to her face. "Wow. I've never done anything like that before."
Derek laughed. "Me neither." He pulled her body against his. "Well," he said slowly, "shall we?"
Meghan raised her eyebrows and linked her arms around his neck. "Here?"
"All I could think about was you, naked underneath me, for the entire read-through."
"Me too," she confessed, "but in the studio?"
"I've got it until five," he said, his hands already moving downward. "We can lock the door."
"Well, when you put it that way." She disentangled herself from him long enough to go bolt the studio doors, and when she turned back around she couldn't say anything else before he was kissing her. She took his face in her hands and let her tongue explore her mouth, barely suppressing a groan when she felt his hands settle on her ass. He squeezed gently, pulling her closer to let her feel the arousal that had already begun to grow in his pants.
Meghan found the hem of his shirt and ran her hands under it, tracing the contours of his chest as she felt that all-too-familiar lust building in the pit of her stomach. God, she couldn't get over how well-built he was. Derek broke the kiss and moved his mouth to the base of her neck, having to stoop to reach, and she felt a gentle pressure as his lips went to work there.
His teeth grazed the delicate skin, making her hiss with pleasure. "Are you okay?" he murmured against her bare neck.
"Yes," she said. "More than okay." That was all the encouragement he needed, and the sensation in her neck became more pronounced as Derek sucked the skin a bit harder. One hand still planted on her ass, he moved his other to the top of her jeans, and before long his deft fingers had resumed their work between her legs. Soon she was shaking, barely able to contain her moans. How did a few minutes of foreplay with this guy manage to turn her into a quivering mess? She pressed a hand against the bulge in his pants and gripped him as firmly as she could from over his clothes. The noise that escaped from his mouth told her she was doing the right thing, and she continued, enjoying the rumbling coming from his chest in response.
Eventually they got each other's shirts off, and Derek didn't stop until her bra had been cast aside on the studio floor. He dropped to his knees, and Meghan gripped his golden hair for dear life as she felt his mouth close around her nipple. The fingers at her clit had slowed to a frustratingly relaxed pace, almost as if he knew that if he kept going, she would explode. Desperate for more friction, Meghan placed a hand over his as he continued to suck at her breast. Understanding, he curled his finger upwards and entered her once more.
Although she had been doing her best to suppress her moans, she couldn't help one bursting out of her when Derek bit down on her nipple as his finger began to move in and out. "Derek," she murmured, "if you keep going, I'll..."
Derek pulled his mouth from her breast, meeting her eyes, and said huskily, "Then what are we waiting for?" He stood up again and began to address her pants, fumbling them off her and allowing her to press her crotch against the bulge in his pants. She moved from side to side, her hands trailing along his back for a moment, before pulling off her panties and tugging him over to the corner table.
"Fuck me," she said, "please." He tore his pants off and pulled her to him. She couldn't get enough of him - all of him, taking her in with his eyes, running his hands over her body. She felt wanted - no, needed, and she adored it.
Derek suddenly took hold of her hips and turned her so she was facing the table, using one hand to gently push her torso onto the cool surface. A moment later she felt him sliding into her. She bit her lip
to keep from moaning too loudly. His hands remained on her hips moving her to keep pace with him. Within minutes she was writhing in pleasure as he picked up speed. Usually being taken from behind wasn't her preference unless she had been dating someone for a while - it was a trust thing. She needed to be able to see his face, see what was going on in his head when they were being intimate. But this time it was different. It was like she and Derek were somehow already on the same wavelength. She didn't need to see his face to trust him - even here, in a semi-public space, she felt safe with him.
Her hair had fallen into her face and he reached forward with one hand to move it out of the way. His touch scorched her skin, and she knew that this time he wouldn't tease her. He would let her come, and soon. The feeling of him inside her was making her see stars, and before long she felt that inevitable sweet crescendo as he pushed her over the top. His movements faltered, and soon he too had found his release. As they caught their breath, Derek leaned over her and pressed his lips to her cheek. Meghan smiled weakly, completely spent. "It's scary how good you are," she told him, still panting.
"It's easy to be with you, do you know that?" he asked her as she turned over and stood up to face him. "Usually I get anxious my first few times with a girl. But with you, it's like, I don't know." He rubbed the sweat off his forehead and began to tie his hair back. "I feel like I know you too well for that."
"I was thinking the same thing," Meghan replied as she went to collect her clothes, and that was it. There wasn't need for more words.
It wasn't until they were at the door that either of them spoke again. "Hell of a rehearsal," said Derek, eyes twinkling. "Want to grab something to eat? I'm starving."
"Pancakes again?"
He laughed. "Not this time. Cross my heart."
Chapter 7
Derek took her to a family-owned Italian place down the street from USC. The waitress had given Meghan a disapproving look when she caught a glimpse of kissing Derek on the way to their table, but she couldn't care less. She was on cloud nine.
