Chapter 2

AN:Thank you so much for the reviews! Will answer chapter one reviews a little later; wanted to put this out first. Here's the next chapter.....

Penelope glanced up at her dear friend and her heart started to pound. She wondered how much he overheard. Lord, this was embarrassing. She didn't want him to know; she didn't want anyone to know what she was doing.

"In answer to your question, I heard more than I wanted to hear," he said, flatly.

She wasn't surprised he said something. She didn't have to verbalize half the time for him to understand what she was thinking. She hated that. She was a damn book sometimes to him; she was that easy to read.

"How can you think of hiring an escort?" he asked with a scowl. "That's like hiring a hooker, P."

"Only if I wanted to pay more."

He frowned even more at her. "You don't know what kind of man you are going to get. That isn't right. Some guy might take advantage of you, and-"
 
"Derek, I have no choice," she said, interrupting him. She sighed. "I have to have a date next month for my family reunion. Don't you think I would've done anything to avoid having to do this?"

"Why not Lynch?"

"We broke up a couple of weeks ago," she said. "Besides, I got myself in deep water by opening my big mouth to my aunt and cousin."

"About damn time," he muttered under his breath, then he looked at her quizzically. "What kind of deep water?"

She felt the heat rising in her cheeks. "I told them I was engaged."

"Why would you do that?"

"Stupid cousin," she said honestly. "She irritates me like a fingernails on a chalkboard. She's my nemesis, always has been."

"Still doesn't explain why you'd say you were engaged." He raised an eyebrow and peered at her. "Why that?"

She didn't know where it came from, but her eyes watered a little. Good lord, she didn't want to cry. This wasn't worth crying over. This was stupid.

"Ah," he said, looking at her. "I think I get it."

His voice was soft and gentle, not judging her at all. He was, if anything, a very good friend to her.

"She always said I'd never find anyone, much less Prince Charming." She sniffled a little. "I got sick of her badgering and told her I found him."

"It's easier to just tell the truth, P."

"You don't understand," she said, looking up at him and frowning. "I didn't think you would. I am not going to go there and be the object of pity. Not now. I won't do that to myself." She opened her laptop. "I just need to call that number again."

"No, you don't," he said, shutting the laptop again, and taking it out of her hands.

She glared at him. "Give it back, Morgan."

"No, for three reasons," he said, putting the laptop down and squatting in front of her so he was eye level with her. "Number one, you are too damn beautiful to be the object of pity for anyone."

She scoffed at him. "Yeah, right."

"You are; trust me." She shook her head, so he added with a smirk, "I am an expert judge of women, wouldn't you say?"

She laughed. She couldn't go against that one!

"Number two," he continued. "It's simply not safe for you to be with some damn guy like that. I consider it an honor and a privilege to protect you. This is one of those cases where I obviously need to."

"I don't have a choice," she stated flatly again.

"That's number three," he said. "You don't need to call because I am volunteering for the job."

"No, you are not!" She started to laugh. "Are you crazy? You'd have to act like you were engaged to me, kissing and all that stuff."

"So?"

She looked at him. He wasn't as adverse to that idea as she thought he would be. She blushed a little. "We're friends, Derek. It would be awkward."

"And kissing and pretending to love some guy you don't even know would be less awkward?" His eyebrow lifted. "Tell me how that would be possible?"

She wanted to answer the affirmative to that. She'd never have to face that guy again after that week. She didn't think that would fly with Morgan. So instead, she said, "Derek, it'll change things. I can't let you do it."

"I insist," he said, standing up. "Where are we going?"

"Napa valley," she said, then added quickly, "but you're not going."

"Yes, I am," he said. "Always wanted to see wine country."

She stood up in front of him and pursed her lips, determined and a more than a little angry. "I am telling you; it won't work."

One minute, she was standing there arguing with him, the next his hand came up behind her neck, dragged her to him, and he kissed her. This was not a friendly little peck, like you'd give a friend. This… ooh, Lord! This was a kiss.

Her head dipped back under the onslaught from the pressure of his kiss. She started to sway on her feet; it was dizzying the rush of pleasure she felt. She couldn't think or move. She just stood there, tingling. His arms slid around her, holding her close to him, as he continued to kiss her.

Just as she was ready to participate, he lifted his head and stepped away.

"Told you it would work," he said, smiling at her. "See you tomorrow."

And he left, just before she slumped back into her chair.