Derek responded by dragging his tongue slowly across her slit, landing on her nub.
“Better but worse in other ways.”
“You ready to come baby?” He knew the answer. His gaze on hers, he took in her breathing, the newfound tension riding her body. Derek plucked her clit with his thumb and finger, then trailed over the engorged pink flesh of her pussy lips.
“Yes.” She angled her legs wider pressing her pelvis lower to his face.
Derek took the silent invitation scissoring his fingers to give her what she needed. The second he clenched her clit in his teeth hard, the way she liked, cream flooded from her. Releasing her nubbin, he sucked her nectar groaning in satisfaction. Not once did he stall pumping his fingers into her dripping sheath. Her eyes glazed for him, her pelvis arched up for more. The quiver of her over sensitized walls had her quivering around his digits. She keened a soft squeal. Her body tensed as she clamped her legs tight. He wrought every remaining tremor out of her, leaving her satisfied.
The door opened, he heard a startled gasp followed by a quick slam. Mood broken, he moved back, taking her legs from his shoulders.
“All better?”
“Never been better.” She yawned.
As he picked her up to carry her to the bed, his rock hard erection got in the way. Ignoring the problem, he got her settled and walked to the sink to wet a rag. Taking gentle care of her, he wiped her clean, covered her up and tucked the blanket around her body.
Once she was settled, Derek washed his face and hands, then pressed the call light for the nurse.
A light blush tinted her cheeks and he felt momentarily bad. But the situation was too funny to pass up, and he thought they could use some humor with some of the situations they had to deal with daily. Meeting her at the door, he said, “I’m sorry you walked in on us. She told me to give her an orgasm to relieve the pain or leave.”
“Oh. Um. That’s news to me. Most patients ring for a knockout pill.”
The blush crept up to all shades of red and he laughed, until he followed her gaze down to his rigid cock. The flag pole jutted straight out under his trousers.
“She’s just falling asleep now in the bed, do you need her?”
“I just need to do vitals.”
Hearing a twittering of giggles, he turned, noticing the rest of the staff all staring at his crotch. “I’ll just get out of your way.”
He made quick time to the private bathroom.
I’m not masturbating in a hospital.
His cock throbbed something fierce with Deja’s scent all over him. Even after he made the effort of washing again, her smell lingered, making the need to ram into her damned difficult to abate. Asshole. She’s in a hospital bed. Derek blew out a breath exiting the bathroom, and returned to the chair.
The nurse had turned out the light. His gaze fell to the blanket and pillow she’d left for him. How thoughtful, he hadn’t even asked. He dragged the recliner up tight against the railing of the bed and slipped his hand over Deja’s. Instinct told him to watch over his baby but exhaustion won over.
The shrill noise of the hospital room phone roused him from his sleep. He fumbled with the television remote and the rail, to reach the small table, finally grasping the receiver.
“Hello.”
“Where’s Deja Crane?”
“She’s sleeping. May I ask whose calling?”
“Her brother David. I just got home and heard she was hurt.”
Derek looked at his watch and rubbed his weary eyes. Anger suffused him. On the verge of ranting over the phone, he put himself in check. He must’ve slept through the before dawn vital check. “She’s resting. Why don’t you give me your number and I’ll call you later this morning.”
“And you are?”
“Derek,” he offered no more information and took the phone number from the younger man. “You’ll be hearing from me. Bye.” He hung up the phone.
In sleep Deja looked beautiful, even with the black knot on her head. He noted the way her chest rose when she breathed and how relaxed she appeared. She was always on the go, never still. Bringing how they first met to mind.
“Excuse me.”
He shut his cell off and turned toward the angry voice peering into the cab window. “Yes?”
“You’re in my cab.”
Startled by her beauty, he missed what she said. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re in my cab.”
“Oh? I didn’t know it had your name on it. Says City Cab here, beautiful.”
“You city men. Look, while you were on your multimedia phone chatting, the cab driver I hailed stopped for me. Now get out so I can get to my destination. I don’t have time to deal with nonsense.”
Well she’d put him in his place, or so she thought. All that spirit and vinegar like his grams would say. “Where are you going, we could share.”
“Haywood Regency Hotel.”
“You’re in luck, I’m heading there myself.”
“I don’t want to share a cab, I want to relax.”
“Well good luck with that, it’s three in the morning and I don’t see any other cabs.” He thrummed his thumb on the window button in mock threat.
“Fine. No talking. We ride in silence.”
Chuckling as she gave in, he watched her stalk to the trunk and pound on it. And then she was sliding into the seat next to him. “Derek.”
“And?”
“You always this way?”
“It’s late and I’m tired.”
“Well it’s late and I’m tired, nice to meet you.” Her unladylike snort amused him.
“My name is Deja. Don’t be thinking that I want to get to know you any better.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He surmised he’d have fun keeping her going all the way to the hotel but chose not to nettle her. Her legs though, man, long enough to wrap around a man’s waist. Luscious lips on a charismatic face, maybe he should goad her just to watch her chest heave in indignation. “So what are you here for?”
“Did I say I was looking for conversation?”
“I’m here to buy a potential business.”
“Bully for you.”
She’d turned her attention out the window but he’d caught her appraising him. Her body language held a closed off expression. The cab turned sharply and hurtled her against him. He put his arms around her to right her, ghosting his hands over her soft skin for the first time. He couldn’t fight the urge. Dark brown eyes widened, and he took full advantage of the situation, kissing her.
When she didn’t fight back but melted into him instead, he became lost in the softness of her lips. Sweeping his tongue against hers, feather light, gauging, he slipped his hands into her thick long hair. She made him breathless, a teen again. When had a woman affected him so? Never. Without the waspish sounds, her mouth was made for pleasure. And then the cab stopped. He pulled back and watched her scoot to the other side of the seat. He half waited for a tongue lashing or an open palm to hit his face.
“Your room or mine?”
Damn. She’s just full of unexpected surprises.“Mine.”
“Sir. Excuse me, Sir?
Derek came back to the present. “Yes?”
“I’m Doctor Salini.”
“Derek.” He rubbed Deja’s hand. “Wake up Deja. The doctor’s here.”
Thick lashed lids, rose and she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
“Morning. Can I go home now?”
“Yes. I have some things to tell you. Would you like for your friend to leave?”
“No. You can speak in front of him. He’ll be taking me home.”
“Right.” The doctor crouched down to Deja’s height. “We were going to run a second CT this morning. However, your blood tests came back.” He paused. “I want you to know we take preventive measures with all women of child bearing age. In short, you’re expecting. Have you any idea when your last menstrual was?”
“Huh. I’m what?”
“Pregnant, Ms. Crane. T
hat’s the reason why we don’t feel it’s necessary to run a second test.”
Derek smiled.
“Don’t you dare smile, this is serious,” she hissed.
“You could be wrong…right?”
“The blood test is as accurate as they can get. Other than the new news, we have no reason to keep you here. I’ve given the nurse a prescription for prenatal pills for you. You’ll need to follow up with your family doctor as soon as possible. In the event of headaches you can take Tylenol, but no pain pills. Congratulations. The discharge nurse will be in with your paperwork shortly, if you have seizures, loss of consciousness, migraines, extreme nausea, loss of vision, or feel pressure in your head don’t hesitate to come back in.”
Tension so thick it could be cut with a knife filled the room following the doctor’s exit. Derek took Deja’s hand. “It’ll be okay.”
“I’m not pregnant, he’s wrong. We—use protection.”
“Protection doesn’t always work beautiful.”
“Oh, God. I’m not ready, I have plans, goals.”
Derek didn’t like the frantic look on her face. "I know this is a shocker but we knew there was a chance this could happen. Now it's a reality.”
“This can’t be happening.”
“Deja, I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t want to be a statistic.”
Derek frowned. “You’re worried about becoming a statistic?” Her thought process threw him off. Concerned by her reaction, he move to her bed, kneeled down and put his hands on her face. “We are together in this, and we have seven or so months to figure everything out. Relax baby, let’s heal your noggin, we’ll worry about your compulsive issues later on.”
She became silent again, not even speaking when the nurse came in. When she left, he helped Deja dress and put her coat on, then took her to his home.
* * * *
An hour later they arrived at his place. Deja’s heart softened as Derek took the time to settle her in his bed. They didn’t have a habit of living together, but occasionally had spent the night at each other’s house. Sadly, she couldn’t remember the last time anyone tucked her into bed, even as a kid. As the mini mother, she always did the tucking. Heaven help her if she got sick, her parents worked hard to support her and her siblings. She’d spent more time as a surrogate parent than as a sister.
What am I gonna do? She didn’t want to obsess over her newfound situation, however how could she not.
The doctors words kept playing over in her head and she couldn’t fathom being pregnant. Sure she’d slept with a handful of men in her life, enough to know there was a possibility—the situation never arose. Until now.
“Beautiful, I’m going to see about your car and make some calls.”
“Oh okay,” Deja said, startled from her thoughts. She sent Derek a weak smile and closed her eyes. The last thing on her mind was her car. How she was going to handle paying for her siblings’ school fees, needs and activities her parents couldn’t afford weighed heavily on her.
Pushing the covers down, Deja climbed out of the humongous bed and padded quietly over to Derek’s computer. The chair squeaked as she sat in it and flipped the button to power on the desktop.
“Beautiful, get in bed.”
“Ears of a bat,” she muttered, continuing to log into her accounting system. Thank goodness for remote accessing. If she was correct, she had enough saved for the next few semesters of college, her brothers’ music lessons, braces and her parents planned anniversary party. The younger siblings weren’t much trouble since she only paid for their cell phones and activities if they needed extra dough. She created a new spread sheet, adding her expenses for her family, doctor appointment fees, vitamins, approximate cost for delivering a baby, hospital stay and items needed for newborn care. Crunching numbers had always been her thing, but looking at the list in front of her, she wondered if she had enough saved to get by or if she’d have to take out a loan for her family.
“Stubborn woman, what are you doing out of bed?” Derek moved behind her, to peer over her shoulder. “What’s your itemized list for?”
“Worried about taking care of my family is all.” She swiveled in the chair to face him. “But it’s nothing for you to be concerned over, I’ll figure a way. I always do.”
“Couples figure things out together beautiful.”
Deja didn’t like how Derek glanced over her list. “Hey.” She covered her hands over the screen, flashing a frown at him. “My financial issues are none of your business.”
“I beg to differ. Look, you’re supposed to be in bed so why not lay down and prop up with my lap top if you have to.”
Deja glared.
“Not, trying to start a fight, just following doctor’s orders.”
Derek’s attempt to control the situation grated on Deja’s nerves. Part of his controlling obsessive compulsivity was adorable since no one ever told her what to do. Her family assumed she could take care of herself. “I don’t want to fight either.” She huffed out an exasperated sound of annoyance. Her emotions wobbled like a yo-yo doing an around the world trick. Worrying was what she did best, besides sharing her fabulous fashion sense.
“Why do you try so hard?” Deja had to know. It wasn’t as if she didn’t vocalize her wants and dislikes, yet he tried to trump her every damn time. What did he stand to gain by staying by her side other than an unplanned child and his life for the next twenty-years tied to hers like a ball and chain.
“What do you mean exactly?”
“Us. You. Me.” Deja powered down his desktop and slid out of his chair. Her head hurt, her stomach rumbled. The rumbling grew louder and the hand she’d placed on her belly to silence it epically failed.
“Because I love you.” He chucked her chin. “Soup or sandwich?”
“You can’t just say words like that, and then ask me what I want to eat.” Deja stood from the chair, walked the few short steps to his bed and climbed in, resettling herself under the covers.
“Simplicity, beautiful. I love you, so I attempt to make sure you’re taken care of.” Derek crossed over and handed her two remotes for his plasma television.
“Even if it’s not returned?” A flash of hurt crossed his expression at the question, which made her want to take it back. Where did the bitch in her come from? He had a better control over his emotions than she did though, with the way he ignored the snarky barb. When he leaned over and kissed her head, she wanted to egg him on further. She wanted to demolish the bounds of his restraint.
Ah but, forehead kisses always left her mushy. They were the one sign of affection that showed someone cherished you.
“Pizza please,” she choked out, uncertainty coursing through her.
“All right. Pepperoni and extra cheese it is. Try to take a nap. I think I’ll go pick up, instead of having delivery.”
“Y-you don’t have to do that. You can order in,” Deja rushed, stumbling over her words as guilt kicked in. She rolled the hem of her shirt in her fingers, though unseen.
“Yes, I do. You need a time out, and I need some fresh air. While I’m gone try to answer this without lying to yourself… Why is it okay to admit you love me and accept my love for you, when we’re making love and then deny us that same happiness the rest of the time we spend together? I’d appreciate knowing, so I can figure out how to steer away from those landmines when we’re out of bed.”
Deja watched her man leave after he said those words. Once she heard the firm closing of the door, she was left to her thoughts.
Expectations terrified her. Her family certainly didn’t expect her to bring a white boy home, that’s for damn sure. Sunday dinner would be extremely tense. Yeah, she knew Derek enough to know if he realized the extent to which she provided for her family he’d have choice words about it. The result would be war. Him vs. them.
Their disappointment was evident when her past relationship failed. Her ex studied at the same African American college she attended, a
nd was their idea of the perfect black man. They had expected a big wedding and were shocked she’d declined his offer. Telling them about her dreams didn’t matter nor did telling her ex. He was determined she’d be a nice addition to his arm for functions with his desire to run for politics. Her dreams didn’t matter.
On the surface he was great, in private his personality changed to a cold indifferent man. Sure he showered her with attention on his terms. When the cheating started she knew spending the rest of her life with a man like him would kill her. She deserved better and refused to settle for less. Her family blamed her for the breakup, even her grandmother.
Now pregnant she didn’t know what to do or what to make of her new life. Whatever choice she made would pave a different path than the one she’d plotted in advance. Neat and nice.
Really, her reasons went much deeper than skimming on the surface, but she didn’t feel like traipsing down memory lane. Her head hurt. All she wanted to do was take a nice long nap, wake up and not have her life crumbling to pieces around her.
Maybe when she felt a bit better, she’d call Nadja. She’d left a message for Barbie to keep the store open normal business hours and she’d be in as soon as she could. Hiring another girl might not be such a bad idea. At least Barbie knew she could call on Taleena or Nadja if needed and they’d pitch in.
The smell of pizza wafted in the air. Derek returned. Upset from her earlier actions, acid from her rebellious tummy threatened to spill up. She blindly reached for the antacids in her purse and chewed a few down. Even with a revolting stomach the need for greasy pizza won out. “That smells delicious.”
“How are you feeling?” Derek asked, handing her a plate with two large slices.
“Tired and hungry.” Deja accepted gladly. Delicious. Gobs of greasy cheese and crisp pepperoni sliced rounds peppered the thick slice. Sinful heaven. Taking a big bite, she moaned in satisfaction. “So good.” She licked sauce off her finger. “Thank you for going to get this.”
“You’re welcome.” Derek ate his own slice opposite her.
He looked so serious, she knew he wanted to rush things, to talk more, and it formed a knot of panic within her. Her pizza became lodged in her throat. She had to swallow hard to get the food down. Ignoring her palms beginning to sweat, she took smaller bites under his quiet scrutiny.
Only Skin Deep Page 8
