The Second Time Around

by Aliyah Burke

  Alyse snorted. “Like that’s gonna happen.” She patted her husband’s arm. “What you don’t understand about these guys, Avery, is that they’re relentless. Think hungry dog with a meaty bone kind of relentless.”

  Of course they were.

  “What is it you don’t want us to know, babe?” Derek tucked her tighter against him, his fingers along her side, creating havoc in unchecked emotions to rise within her.

  There was something intensely intimate about this man calling her babe even though she had no doubt he tossed that word around like he was standing on a fire truck throwing candy at children during the parade. In that moment it was just for her and that made it all the more special.

  “I was just telling her what it was like my first dinner here.” Alyse shrugged. “How it was when I didn’t want to show up and yet you all told me that I was family and if I had any problems I could come to you, any of you.”

  “Absolutely.” Wild nodded. “That was not a lie, we meant every word.”

  “Derek, come here for a minute and help me.”

  She didn’t say a word as he ran off to go assist his mother; however, when it was just her and the other two, Wild’s lighter blue eyes were shrewd as he watched her. His gaze so intense she shifted, her motion such a high rollercoaster. Cao lifted his head and watched to ensure for himself she was okay.

  “Don’t scare her.”

  “I’m not trying to,” he said. “I’m just wondering if she realizes that Derek’s made his claim on her.” The look Alyse sent her was nothing more than see I told you so.

  Derek came back in a few moments and, just like that, put his arm around her once more. As if it were common every day for him to touch her as he was. Not that she minded, it took everything within her not to lean against him as Alyse was doing to her husband.

  αβ

  Derek cut his gaze to the woman riding in the passenger seat. There was no denying the exhaustion lining her eyes or the tense way she sat as they drew closer to his house on the snowy night.

  “You okay over there?”

  She shifted on the seat, doing her best to keep it inconspicuous; however, he caught it. Every move she made he watched.

  “I am, thank you, just a bit tired.”

  “I’m sure family dinners are little bit louder than what you’re used to, but it wasn’t bad, was it?” He wanted her to like his family, wanted her to enjoy the dinners that he had every intention of bringing her to more often as their lives went on.

  “Definitely noisier than I’m used to, no argument there. But it was wonderful. I can’t thank you enough for taking me and allowing me to be included tonight.”

  “You have this horrible habit of thanking me, Avery.”

  She shifted once more and he ground his jaw, well aware she was searching for words to appease him.

  “I’m not looking for thanks, Avery. I want to get to know you better. And, like my family said, you are one of us now. I’m sure Wild mentioned it, possibly Alyse; then again maybe it was one of the others, but they told you how I claimed you in front of my mother, right?”

  She didn’t respond so he looked at her, took his eyes from the snowy road and skimmed it over her. Her fingers were completely inside her shirtsleeve, and from the looks of things she was about to have a major panic attack.

  He reached out, slowly as to not spook her, and took her hand from where it resided inside her shirt and held her.

  “I know it’s a lot to take in, Avery. It will get better, I promise. You and I have a lot to talk about, we have things to work through, but one thing at a time. Okay? Babe, I need you to respond to me because I can’t take my eyes off the road long enough to stare you. My other choice is to stop to give you my full attention, but I want to get you home.”

  “I hear what you’re saying, Derek. And it’s sweet, hell, it’s more than that. I can’t lie and say I haven’t fantasized my own version of how things would be. But that’s not reality. We both know that. I’m not a good fit for your family. Look at these women who your brothers have married, the children they’ve given, the love between them and your mother, their husbands, everyone. I can’t compete with that. That isn’t my life, I don’t know how to be that way.”

  He tightened his fingers around her hand, unwilling to release her and had, the snow not been accumulating so fast he would have stopped. But he didn’t want to be stranded alongside the road, that would be foolish.

  “Hold onto that thought, babe. That deserves an answer and my full attention, both of which you will have the moment were back at the house. However, I do want to make one thing clear right now, right here. I have claimed you as my woman. I spent the past two years unable to get you out of my head, unable to let go of my vision of you.”

  “Why would you say such a thing?”

  “Because it’s nothing but the truth.”

  “You never came and found me. If it was that important wouldn’t you have done that?”

  He released her hand and downshifted to turn into his driveway, pleased when the gate still opened smoothly.

  Parking in a spot he rarely used in his garage, he unbuckled his belt as the door closed behind him. The second he was free of the confinement, he hopped out and went around to her side. Yanking the door open, he undid her belt and turned her towards him.

  “The only reason I didn’t come after you, and I do mean the only reason, was that I didn’t want my presence to bring back all those bad memories to you.” He swept his thumbs along her smooth skin, reveling in her beauty that even the dim light of the garage couldn’t hide. “But you came to me, you found me, you let me know that I didn’t give you horrible memories. And that means just one thing, babe. I’m claiming you.”

  Her small gasp was swallowed up by his kiss. Working hard to keep it as gentle as he could, Derek pushed through her mouth, relearning her taste once more. He touched everywhere he could, coaxing her to play with him, to touch him, to learn him.

  His eyes closed, and when he opened them later the entire garage was dark. He been so into her kiss he did not notice when the light went out.

  More, his body cried.

  Stepping back, he helped her down from his high vehicle, sliding her down his body once more.

  Damn, I want to do that without clothes on.

  “Come on, babe. Let’s go call your father, put his mind at ease, and then you and I are going to finish this discussion.”

  Seconds later he heard the dog as he hit the floor, felt him against his leg as he brushed by go to the door. Inside the house they stood in the kitchen together, each leaning against the counter, the phone between them.

  “Did you want me to call him, or would you like to do it?”

  Avery worried her lower lip between white teeth that worked perfectly straight. He liked the crookedness of her smile.

  “I should do it, he’s my father and you can’t fight my battles for me.”

  “The hell I can’t. I will fight any battle for you, if you want me to.” He never once dropped her gaze as he told her this God’s honest truth.

  “Perhaps I should’ve said I shouldn’t have you fight my battles for me.”

  He quirked his lips in her direction. “My response would still be the same, but if it makes you feel better we can go with that.”

  That sparkle that filled her brown gaze warmed him in ways equatorial heat couldn’t begin to compare to. Reaching for the phone, he unlocked the screen and pulled up the number for her father. After he pressed call he spun it in the palm of his hand and offered it to her.

  “All yours.”

  Chapter Four

  Avery worried her lower lip as she placed the phone on the counter following the conversation with her father. A few deep breaths and she rubbed her hands down the front of her pant legs. She flicked her tongue over her lips and turned to face the man who brought her there.

  Derek leaned into the entrance of the kitchen, a towel in his hand as he wiped them off. He had l
eft her alone while she spoke to her father, however, she was sure he would’ve been there had she needed him.

  Right now the silence stretched between them, heavy and thick with something she wasn’t sure she wanted to think about. Sprawled on his side on the kitchen floor, Cao seemed perfectly content in this man’s kitchen.

  There were times she envied her dog, and this would be one of them.

  With an easy lobby of her wrist, Derek launched the towel to land on the countertop by the sink. The hand that seconds ago released the towel now beckoned to her. It may have been against her better judgment—hell, may have been against any judgment—but she made her way to his side.

  Derek didn’t move, just watched her with those blue eyes and his hand still out. Uncertain of what he waited for, she scrunched her fingers back up into the long sleeves of her shirt. That assessing gaze flicked from his hand, to her, and back again.

  It hit her, what he was waiting for. Allowing her fingers to slip free from the cuff of her shirt, she placed her hand in his and let him lead her to the couch.

  Seating arrangements were what he wanted, which meant she ended up hauled against his side with his arm around her anchoring her there. Although, honestly, she wasn’t inclined to argue.

  “I’d ask you how it went, but I’m fairly certain I know the answer to that given the expression you have.”

  Figuring his comment didn’t need an answer, Avery remained silent. She took the time to stare into the flames of the fire burning in the hearth. Seconds to minutes that turned to an hour, and she sat there against him, growing tired.

  She continually expected him to try to ask more questions about the conversation with her father, what she was doing there, or any other number of things. However, he didn’t. Instead he allowed her to think things through his touch, idyllic and comforting.

  For the longest time since her rescue, she was finally safe and warm. There were no concerns for her that the nightmares would possibly show up, sending her scrambling to spend the remainder of the night sitting up worried that something was going to snatch her from the dark. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily.

  A slight nudge in her neck from Cao woke her with a start. She knew three things the instant she realized where she was. One, she was still in the living room and the fire had burned low. Two, she lay on the couch atop Derek and he held her tight against him. Finally, three, she had no desire to move, not even the slightest bit.

  Problem was, Cao didn’t wake her for just anything, he had a reason. And it was her job to find out what that was.

  The moment she began shifting off of him, he tightened his hold, anchoring her.

  “Where you going?”

  “Cao woke me.”

  In the fading light from the fire, he watched her. In the time it took her to blink, the man who was sleepily watching her turned alert and dangerous. She hadn’t any chance to get a word out before he had risen, leaving her alone on the couch.

  “Stay there, stay low. Don’t come out unless I call for you. Keep your dog close.”

  Her face must’ve given away the fear that coursed through her, for Derek winked, smiled, and chucked her under the chin.

  “You’ll be fine, Avery, I promise.”

  She didn’t have it in her to tell him; it wasn’t herself she was concerned about, more so about what ran towards him and the danger he could be facing.

  Ten minutes later he strode back into the room. She looked at him, fingers deep into Cao’s coat. “Everything okay?”

  “Yes.”

  Relief swarmed her and she relaxed her grip on Cao. He hadn’t been all that concerned once Derek had gotten up and moved around to inspect it all, and now her pet lay at her feet with a heavy sigh.

  “If you’re sure.”

  Derek settled back beside her on the couch and reached over to push some hair behind her ear. Carefully, indicative of his not wishing to harm her, he gently touched her earring. Derek grasped the dangle post and single gemstone between his index finger and his thumb.

  Everything within her wanted to push into his touch. Experience more, enjoy more, have more.

  But this wasn’t in her fantasy world, it wasn’t the place she got to live and participate in each and every one of them. This was real life. It wasn’t the place for dreams. All she had managed to do was bring her nightmares to his front door. Shame washed over her and she lowered her eyes, unable—or perhaps unwilling—to continue holding his gaze.

  “Look at me, Avery.”

  Derek had to repeat the command twice more before she listened. Ever so slowly she lifted her head and met that intense, dark blue gaze. The one that would never leave her side so long as she was able to create a dream.

  His touch had moved from her earring to the soft skin behind her ear. Slight strokes moved against her skin, once again making her long for things she couldn’t have. She blinked a few times and struggled once more with the urge to rub her eyes.

  He continued watching her even after she gave herself a moment by entertaining a long, extremely long, blink.

  “We’ve some things to talk about you and me, Avery. And while I know you’re tired, I feel if we don’t do this now, there is going to be some excuse stopping us from going down this road.”

  She nodded, not even bothering to argue. It was the least she could do, considering how she had just shown up and thrown his life into upheaval.

  “When you look at me, Avery, tell me, do I remind you of the bad?”

  With three small head shakes, she tucked her fingers once more inside the sleeves of her shirt. “No.”

  He moved his touch on from her ear, sliding his hand forward to cup the nape of her neck. The calluses on his fingers reminded her what it was like to be alive. With a small bite to the inside of her cheek, she strove not to forget he wasn’t hers anywhere outside the dream world.

  Derek inched closer to her, and suddenly he was right there. Nose to nose, lips to lips, everything she’d ever wanted. His thick black lashes framed those amazing eyes and all she wanted to do was touch.

  Everything.

  “When you look at me like that, Avery... How you are now, you make me feel I have the ability to hand you the world.”

  Avery swallowed the remnants of her fear and flicked her tongue over her lower lip; his sharp gaze tracked the movement.

  “You did.”

  His thick brows slashed as he furrowed his brow. “No, the world was yours for the taking, Avery. It still is.”

  “I don’t want the world.”

  “What is it that you want, Avery?”

  Apparently, her confidence hadn’t left her completely at this point in time. Using her left hand, she reached up and gripped his wrist, her thumb swiping over the pulse, allowing her to align to the beating of his own heart.

  “You.”

  Derek was grateful for the couch beneath him, for if it hadn’t been there his legs surely would have given out and he would have been on the floor at her word. Her one singular word that said so much.

  He flexed his fingers on the nape of her neck, wishing she wasn’t so scared, and he could just haul her to him and indulge. Hell, he’d already kissed her once and her taste imprinted on him.

  “You have me.” He exhaled sharply and released his hold on her neck. “The next move is up to you.”

  She blinked a few times and stared at him, no way for him to miss the indecision in her gaze.

  Damn, he wanted to kiss her. Shove away all those horrible memories and replace them with new, shared ones with him.

  There was so much more to Avery than anybody could ever have imagined from the first time he met her. Hell, even from the dossier he’d been given on her, whoever had written it up had observed her and pulled information in the cold, clinical way. There were so many layers, facets, everything he wanted to uncover and reveal about her.

  Sure, it wouldn’t be easy and it definitely wouldn’t be fast. He didn’t care, he looked forward to all that w
ork. He wanted to take a lifetime learning everything about her.

  Derek shook his head. None of this made any sense.

  “You’re just as confused as I am, as to why this is happening between us.” Avery released her hold on his wrist and instantly he missed her touch.

  “I’d be lying if I said otherwise. Does that bother you?”

  She rolled her plump lower lip between her teeth before shaking her head. “No, I think I’m in the same boat as you are. And it scares me. Makes me feel out of control.”

  “Yet, through all of it, it still feels right.” He didn’t make it a question; it was a statement and he knew damn well she felt the same way.

  “It does. I am so sorry for showing up like this at your house. I know I shouldn’t have done it.”

  “Fuck this.” The words were ripped deep from his throat. Guttural. Dangerous.

  Without giving her a chance to say a word, he did what he wanted to do since the moment he saw her. Have her close to him—not just near close, where their skin slid against each other, breath mingled, and tactile discovery was inevitable. Where they could become one.

  He leaned back as she sprawled on top of him. Against his larger frame, Avery seemed so slight, so fragile, so delicate. Her breasts pressed into his chest and he shifted on the cushions, allowing her legs to settle deeper between his own.

  She continued to watch him, large eyes wide, but there was still no fear, and that was her gift of handing him the moon. Derek cupped her face with his hands, stroking his thumbs along her cheekbones.

  He still wanted more. Craved more. Needed more. His physical desires could wait, this was so much more than that. So much more important.

  “What did you tell your father?”

  “I told him I drove out here to thank you and your brother for what you did for me. That I was fine, Cao was fine, and we would be home eventually.”

  “And what was his response?”

  She shook her head slightly. “He wasn’t happy.”

  “The reason for his unhappiness. Was it because you are here with me or is it because you left your bodyguards and ran without telling him where you were going?”