So, I was just looking through a clothing catalogue from a store I recently went to, and there were a lot of pictures with a beach in it… and I REALLY miss summer, so I thought I'd write a summer story! Enjoy.

Gone for the Winter

Chapter 1: Far Away from Canada

A Life With Derek fanfiction by MissAnniee.

Derek's POV.

-

I laid back, relishing my time in the warmth and stretching out my legs from the long airplane ride. I felt the sun warm my face and the tiny grains of white sand lightly massaging my aching feet.

So, where am I you ask? Why, the Caribbean, of course!

While all my other friends are stuck back in Canada freezing to death in below-freezing weather, I'm in between North and South America, enjoying the glorious humid climate and still increasingly hot temperatures.

I yawned, and I realized that all this relaxing and not studying is making me sleepy… and a little hungry. I adjusted my swim trunks and sat up on the sand-coated towel in one motion, only slightly stirring the flawless white-sand beach.

I have to keep myself awake somehow…

And there are no beach babes here… this is, after all, a private beach. Oh well. With that thought, I fell backwards onto the towel again and covered my eyes with my arm, trying to block out the intense rays of light.

-

Narrator's POV.

-

Casey strolled barefoot along the gorgeous beach. Though she missed her text books and studying with a mug of steamy hot chocolate and a robe wrapped around her shoulders, she knew that it was good for her – and her family – to finally be able to go on vacation and just take a break.

She paused, gazing out at the breathtaking view of the aquamarine colored water, and watched as a school of small, colorful fish swam away from the shore. The small waves gently lapped at her feet and the sun made her skin glow with radiance.

The temperature was still increasing, and the only shade available at the moment was the small forest of palm trees, a bit away from the edge of the gleaming water. As much as she desperately needed a drink or to cool down, Casey knew she couldn't leave the gentle coaxing feeling of the waves.

Casey glanced around again, realizing she had allowed herself to fall into a trance. She squinted, seeing someone lying in the sand with an arm over their face. She couldn't recognize the person; the arm was covering too much.

She tip-toed closer, not wanting to disturb the wonderful peacefulness or the mysterious person's sleep. Yet as she slowly creepy closer to the person, she could tell by the swim trunks that it was her absolutely wonderful-coughcough- stepbrother.

But something was off. Was his skin supposed to be practically glowing red? Casey gasped at the realization that Derek hadn't put any sunscreen on before dozing off, and now…

Now… he's going to be in a lot of pain when he wakes up. Casey giggled evilly, and took the chance to snap a picture for – err – "future references".

But as she gradually came out of her giggling fit, she realized that Derek was, in fact, only clad in his swim trunks, which barely hung on to his waist. Casey was sure that the only thing still holding the pair of shorts up was the ground and gravity.

She also noticed how muscular yet lean his arms were, and how perfectly proportionate they were as well.

And the way his hands were tucked under his head and his legs were crossed almost made him look… somewhat cool in her eyes.

Oooohh no no no no no. You so did NOT just think that, Casey! He's your STEPBROTHER. The one who endlessly tortures you and mocks you, the one who is the BANE of your entire existence!!

Casey shook her head, her auburn hair swinging wildly as her vision blurred from the fast movements. However, she didn't realize that Derek had woken up in the few seconds that she was still gaining composure.

"Jeez, someone got a lot of sand in their hair…" Derek muttered as he unfolded his arms and rubbed his eye groggily. Casey could only growl at his remark.

"Did I fall asleep? How long?" He yawned, as if still not satisfied with the short nap. He turned to Casey, expecting an answer, but instead he found her tripping over her own feet and quickly falling towards him. His instinct told him to reach out and catch her, so that's what he did.

Stupid guy instincts.

Derek thought bitterly as he took in the current position of himself and his stepsister.

His hands were gripping her shoulders with a slight pressure while her body was flush with his, so close that he could almost feel every curve of her beautiful – NO DEREK, BAD THOUGHTS. ESPECIALLY ABOUT CASEY; NOT COOL. – body. Her hands were flat on the towel on either side of him, causing sand to pour into the small indents.

Their faces were only centimeters apart, and Casey's face was redder than a tomato and beet put together.

One small movement…and we would be able to –

Casey's thought was cut short as she felt a sudden weight on her head as water dripped down her face and now soaked hair. She screamed loudly, whipping her head around to see who had dumped a bucketful of water on her head. But as she was turning, her lips accidentally brushed against Derek's, causing them both to recoil in disgust and embarrassment.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

"Trust me; I did NOT want to kiss you, of all people, Case."

"URG! YOU'RE SO… SO… I need to get a few bottles of mouthwash." Casey muttered, not able to think of a good retort, and stomped off towards their temporary beach house, still stumbling a few times due to the soft sand.

Derek just stared after her for a few moments and shrugged. Casey could do whatever she liked, but…

Derek smirked.

Neither of them were going to forget this little… incident.

He realized that they never found out who had poured water on Casey, but a sudden high-pitched giggle that filled his ears was a tell-tale sign.

"Smarty! Get out here…" He growled playfully as Marti ran out from her hiding place in a nearby bush. Derek picked her up under the arms and swung her around in circles, her laughter flowing through the air.

"And he's just so… infuriating!!!" Casey whined for the hundredth time to her little sister Lizzie. The sisters were sitting on a beige chaise in the airy living room, each sipping a Shirley Temple from a tall crystal glass.

Suddenly, Lizzie gasped, and claimed she had to go to the washroom. REALLY bad.

She hurried off down the long hallway, leaving Casey to her own thoughts.

Just as she was about to get up to rinse her glass, Casey felt two warm hands push her back down, and a warm breath beside her bare neck and shoulders. She shivered.

"I'm infuriating, huh?" Derek whispered in her ear. Casey could only shudder again at his husky tone. She felt a pair of soft, warm lips graze her cheek lightly and chastely.

Not needing any more clues, Casey already knew that it was the one and only Derek Venturi. But as she felt his body back away from her, she realized that she missed the warmth it provided, as opposed to the air conditioning that was set to more than a little chilly.

Casey whipped her head around to come face to face with Derek, who was currently sporting a very amused smirk on his face.

Flushing deep red from their contact, Casey jumped up from her seat on the chaise and stalked away to her temporary room without another word.

Derek could only chuckle to himself quietly as he noticed she had a little more nervousness in her steps.

So… how is it so far?? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review!! I ALWAYS appreciate your feedback.

--- MissAnniee