by Coleen Kwan
He nodded, and they walked up the porch stairs side by side. They’d barely spoken except for a few mundane words, but there was nothing ordinary about the tension fluctuating between them, alive as an electric current.
She opened the door and moved into the living room. Diffused lamplight from the adjoining dining room spilled in. She hoped the light flattered her. Her hair was messily tied up with an elastic band, and her lavender scrubs weren’t exactly stylish.
“I’ve been waiting all night for you,” Derek murmured.
God, he knew just the right thing to say to undo the last of her reservations. She gulped, licked her lips, nervous anticipation swirling into a knot beneath her ribs.
She tilted her head at the TV. “So, there’s a late night movie on.”
“What’s it about?” His hungry eyes never left her.
“I think it’s some B-grade horror movie.”
“I prefer whatever.”
His smile curled through her, trebling her excitement. How incredible that a man as sexy as Derek could look at her with such burning, clothes-ripping intensity.
“What kind of whatever is that?” she managed to get out.
“I’ll show you.”
He reached for her, his hands pulling the elastic band to free her hair before he delved his fingers through her locks, loosening the strands and fluffing them about her face. Sliding his fingers around the curve of her cheeks, he tilted up her face and lowered his lips to hers in a sweet, slow kiss.
She sank into his kiss, letting go of her final hesitation. She’d struggled hard to do the right thing, but Derek was too much temptation. Over the past few days she’d stopped viewing him as a teenager and seen the man he had become. He was generous and sensitive, with a cheeky sense of humor, and he could make her excited just by walking into a room. And the fact that he found her such a turn on aroused her even more. She wanted him so badly, so passionately, that she was willing to take this risk. Caleb was out of town, she had the house to herself. Take this night, her body urged her. Take this and savor it.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she poured all her emotion into her kiss until he broke off, breathless and laughing softly.
“Hey, what’s your hurry? We have all night.”
She ran her hands over his torso. Beneath his shirt his chest muscles were hard and taut. “How do you know that? I might change my mind at any minute,” she teased him.
“The hell you will.” His hands clamped on her hips as his growl sent a delicious thrill through her.
He backed her up until she toppled over onto the couch, and he went with her, kissing her like he’d just broken out of prison. All the while, his hands were busy, roaming over her lavender top until he found the side drawstring and loosened the material. His hands slipped under the hem, and she gasped into his mouth at the incredible feel of his palms coasting slowly over her stomach.
Derek wrestled with her top, but there wasn’t enough space on the couch.
“Hold on,” he muttered, sliding his hands beneath her.
He lifted her up and eased her onto the rug. A second later, he pulled off her top, and she was hyperventilating. She pulled the shirt from his shoulders. Sensing her urgency, he helped her shrug off his shirt. As he tossed the shirt on the couch, several small packets fell out of the pocket.
“Condoms,” he muttered.
She glanced at the pile of foil packets then back at Derek. “You’d better hurry up and put one of them on.”
He raised his eyebrows, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Here? I was going to carry you upstairs first.”
“Yes, here. We’re not going to make it to my bedroom.”
His face glowed as he leaned over and gathered her in his arms. The intensity in his eyes took her breath away. All that tenderness and hunger focused solely on her… Her heart swooned as she wrapped her arms around his neck and surrendered to the flames consuming them.
In the blissful moments afterward, he held her, their panting breaths mingling as they gradually floated back to earth. She couldn’t help a huge smile spreading across her lips as she stretched out, sated and exhilarated. Derek grinned at her, his face radiating satisfaction.
Eventually she sat up and ran her fingers through her messy hair.
“Oh hell,” Derek muttered. “Am I responsible for that?” He touched her back, and she twisted round to glimpse a few red marks on her shoulder blades.
“Carpet burn.” She laughed. “There’re a couple on my butt, too.”
“Shoot. Didn’t mean to be so rough on you.”
The concern in his face melted her heart. “It’s nothing, honestly.”
Bending down, he pressed his lips to each of the spots on her butt and shoulders. “Let me kiss it better for you, babe.”
Oh, he was so irresistible. She felt light-headed and alive in every cell. What was it about making love with Derek that made her feel this way? Maybe it was the way he took such care with her, his focus on pleasing her first rather than himself. That was an incredible turn on. She drew him up to face her and stroked his cheek, rubbing her thumb across his stubble-roughened skin before she leaned in to kiss him lightly on the lips.
“How long can you stay tonight? Do you have to go back to your granddad?”
“Only in the morning. He promised to call if he got into difficulties.” He spread his hands wide across her hips and pulled her closer. “I’m glad you’ve changed your mind about us.”
There was a hint of a question in his words.
“I guess I got tired of fighting this…attraction between us. I didn’t realize it’d be so strong.” She picked up her scattered clothes and shoes. “Well, after that romp on the floor and my shift, I’m in desperate need of a hot shower.”
“I’ll join you,” he said as he scooped up his own fallen clothes. “I’m sure you need help soaping your back and…other places.”
As she led the way upstairs, she wondered if letting him stay the night was a foolish decision. Their lives were headed in opposite directions, and she couldn’t see any long-term future for them. But she decided she wasn’t going to spoil what was left of tonight. Tonight was enough; tonight was all they had, all she could ask for.
Hannah woke up to find herself in Derek’s arms, his lips pressing soft kisses against her temples. Early morning light filtered through the drapes. With a happy sigh, she turned to him, her body shuddering awake as his mouth found hers and his gentle kiss became hot and hungry. He pressed into her, his naked body pinning her.
But then he let out a groan as he reluctantly lifted his head, breaking off the kiss. “Sorry, didn’t mean to start that.”
“Don’t apologize,” she breathed, famished for his body. “Just finish what you started.”
“I intend to, but I have to get back and fix my grandpa’s breakfast.” He pulled a face before dropping a quick, firm kiss on her mouth. “Don’t go anywhere, babe. I’ll be back in half an hour, and then I’ll give you a finish and more.”
“You promise?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die. Now shut your eyes, and I’ll return before you know it. I’ll even leave my car at Otto’s and walk back, so your neighbors won’t get suspicious.”
He slipped out of bed and groped around for his clothes. Sighing, Hannah rolled over so she could watch him dress. He really had the most beautiful body she’d ever seen. And to think it had been all hers last night…
He padded over to her, kissed her one more time, and then he was gone. Without him the bed felt too big and empty. She snuggled into the pillows, searching for his scent that was imprinted on her linen, her skin, her heart.
Last night had been filled with passion, laughter, and wonder. An incredible experience she could never regret. But it had to stop today. Caleb was sure to sense something between them if they continued to sleep together. Her parents were due to arrive home tomorrow, and then, of course, Derek was leaving a week from now, and she wouldn’t see him again for age
s…
But while it lasted, she’d make the most of it. She got out of bed to clean her teeth, wash her face, and brush her hair. She tidied the bed, fluffed up the pillows, and put on the racy, black lace teddy that she’d bought on impulse after her divorce but never worn. She climbed in between the sheets and drifted off into a light slumber, dreaming of Derek’s eyes.
She started awake to see those same eyes gazing down at her. Derek was already naked, she saw; he must have stripped off in a hurry. She went to smile at him, but he didn’t give her time, crushing her mouth with his, his urgency electrifying her. Only when he pulled back the sheet and his gaze fell on her lace teddy, did he pause.
“Wow.” He let out a low whistle. “Glad I ran back for this.”
His carpenter’s hands fingered the lace contours. She smiled up at him. For a few hours more, Derek was all hers.
The alarm clock showed it was almost ten o’clock. Hannah sat up in bed, stretched her arms, and yawned. No wonder she’d slept in after all the attention Derek had given her. He lay still next to her, but as she turned to him, she saw his eyes were bright and alert as if he’d been awake for some time. Smiling, he ran his fingers down her arm. Had he been watching her in her sleep? She hoped she hadn’t mumbled out any secrets.
“I guess we’d better get up,” she said reluctantly. Unwelcome reality seeped into her. With her parents due back tomorrow she had a list of chores to knock off.
“Want to go out to the lake again? I know a quiet spot where we can swim.” And make love, his eyes said.
She bit her lip in regret. “I’m sorry, but my dad and Rosalind are coming back tomorrow, and I need to clean the house and do a few other things.”
Derek eyed her steadily for a while. “And I’m guessing you don’t want me staying over anymore when your parents are here.”
Pushing the sheet away, she searched for her black teddy. It lay crumpled at the foot of the bed, long discarded. “Derek, you know how I feel. Our lives are headed in completely different directions. This…thing between us, it was always only temporary. A—a sort of time-out from our normal lives.”
He didn’t speak for a while, and his silence became tinged with gravity. “What if you need more time-outs in the future?” he asked. “Would you consider me then?”
Her gaze flew up to his. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” He paused, and it seemed he was picking his words carefully. “I’d like to see more of you.”
He couldn’t be serious. “Hey, I’m sitting here buck naked in front of you. How much more would you like to see?”
His mouth lifted at the corners but only for a second. “You could come visit me in L.A. It’s only a one-hour flight from Sacramento. I’ll buy you the ticket.”
He was serious. Panic bubbled in her stomach. “Where’s all this coming from? I thought this was just a—a bit of harmless fun.” She got up to search for her bathrobe, suddenly feeling vulnerable and naked in more than one way. “Can you please stop talking about plane tickets and L.A.?”
His expression softened as he rose and stood in front of her. “Sure, if it’s making you nervous.”
“It is.”
With a sigh, he ruffled his hair for several moments, a slight frown on his brow, before tipping back his head. “Okay. I won’t argue with you. For now.”
“How about some breakfast? I can make you French toast. You always liked my French toast.”
“Thanks, but just some juice and plain toast will be fine. Don’t want to hold you up when you have so much to do.”
She put on her bathrobe and left him casting around for his jeans. As she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, she couldn’t suppress the regret panging inside her. Regret that the night was over and reality was intruding.
But she could see Derek again if she took him up on his invitation to visit. Instantly, she quashed that notion. What could be more pathetic than a newly divorced woman chasing after a hot, sexy guy five years her junior? And besides, she’d been burned already with Rick and his womanizing ways. Sure, Derek wasn’t a liar like Rick, but he was a player, and his L.A. life was very different and very glamorous compared to sleepy old Pine Falls.
And what if she visited Derek in L.A. and he realized he’d made a terrible mistake? That he preferred women like Marla Beaudry? That would be so humiliating.
She’d endured enough humiliation from her ex-husband; she wouldn’t risk it again for what was a brief and wonderful fling. Derek could never be more than a friend and a fond memory. She busied herself in an effort to ignore her glumness. She filled the coffeemaker and opened the kitchen windows. She went out to the backyard to fetch a mug she’d left outside, and as she re-entered the kitchen, caught the sound of the front door shutting.
Had Derek left without saying good-bye to her? Her heart chilled.
“Hello? Anyone at home?” a male voice called from the hallway. “Hannah?”
The chill in her heart flooded her entire body. She couldn’t move a muscle as her brother strode into the kitchen.
“Hey, Hannah.” Caleb dumped a basket filled with clothes on the table.
“Caleb! Wh-what are you doing here? I-I thought you were only coming back tomorrow.”
“We finished early, so I drove back last night. My washing machine’s on the fritz, so I thought I’d come here to do my laundry.”
“Uh, why don’t you leave that and I’ll put them in the washer for you.”
Her brother eyed her quizzically. “Thanks, but I can do my own laundry, sis.”
Hannah pulled her bathrobe closer, horribly aware that she was stark naked underneath and that Derek was still upstairs. Oh God, Derek. What would happen if the two men met?
“You just got out of bed?” Caleb studied her more closely before a red tide swept over his face. “Jesus Christ. You’ve got a guy upstairs, don’t you?”
She twisted her fingers around the belt tie of her bathrobe, trying to appear nonchalant. She was an adult and years older than Caleb. She didn’t need his permission to sleep with anyone.
“I, er, yes, as a matter of fact.”
“Oh, shit.” Caleb tugged at the back of his hair, looking poleaxed. “I didn’t think you’d…you know…”
Indignation spurted in her. “What? You think I’m too old for sex?”
Her brother winced. “No, it’s just that, well, I didn’t think you’d jump in so soon after your breakup.”
“It’s been six months since the divorce.”
“Yeah, but—” He heaved out a sigh as he swiped his hand over his face, clearly still disturbed. “Hannah, I know how much that douche-bag hurt you, and I kinda feel responsible.”
“How can you feel responsible for Rick being a lying cheat?”
“Because…” He hesitated before bursting out, “Because I saw him hitting on some girl just before your wedding, and I sensed he was no good for you, but somehow he convinced me it was nothing, so I kept my mouth shut. But I should’ve known better. I should’ve told you.”
Hannah gaped at her brother. “I don’t know what to say,” she muttered in shock.
“It’s my fault,” Caleb continued. “But I’m not making the same mistake twice. I’m looking out for you, sis. I’m not letting you end up with another player like Rick.”
Feeling sick, Hannah groped for a chair and sank into it. She hoped and prayed that Derek had heard Caleb and would stay out of sight. Derek wasn’t a lying cheat, but he was a player, and she didn’t want to imagine what would happen if Caleb found out he was the man she’d spent the night with.
“It’s sweet of you to care so much,” she said weakly, “but it’s not necessary. I’m an adult.”
“I don’t care if it’s not necessary.” A dogged look came over Caleb. “I’m your brother, and I won’t let you get hurt again.” He jerked his head toward the ceiling. “That guy you’ve got upstairs, anyone I know?”
“No!” She jumped at the sharpness of her tone. Her nerves
screwed up. “It’s…no one.”
“So it’s just a one-off? Nothing significant?”
“Yes.” She couldn’t take much more of this interrogation. The suspense was hurting so much she wanted to scream. She pushed to her feet. “Look, I hate to rush you off, but it’s better if you don’t meet…him.”
“Yeah, I understand. Just as long as you’re sure it’s nothing serious.”
“I’m sure.” She was dying to shove her brother out the door. “Leave your laundry with me. I’ll take care of it.”
“Naw, that’s okay.” He hefted the basket under one arm and walked through the hall. Hannah followed anxiously, hoping like crazy that Derek was out of sight. Thank heavens Derek had left his car at his granddad’s. They made it to the front door without mishap, and she waved her brother good-bye. Only when he had driven off did she allow herself to shut the door and lean against it, exhaling a long sigh of relief.
Footsteps sounded on the staircase, and she stiffened again as Derek came into sight.
“Thank God Caleb didn’t see you,” she exclaimed, still in shock over the close call.
“I can see that scared the shit out of you.” Derek’s face was set, and his mouth was grim. “Glad to know I’m just a nobody you picked up for the night.”
Her face flamed. “I couldn’t exactly tell him it was you! You heard him. He thinks somehow he’s responsible for me ending up with Rick.”
“Would you have canceled the wedding if Caleb had told you about Rick?”
“I don’t know.” She pushed her hands through her hair. A headache was starting to pound in her temples. “Probably not. I was infatuated with Rick and so eager to marry him. I would’ve believed any tale he spun for me. I had a massive blind spot to him for years.” She uttered a groan. “But this isn’t about Rick. It’s about Caleb, and what he means to me, and to you. Knowing his attitude, he’d be horrified if he found out we’ve slept together twice.”
Derek crossed his arms, his stance filled with tension. “Because I’m a player just like Rick?”
She swallowed. “Well, you and Marla Beaudry…”
“Are no longer an item.”
