Chapter 7
AN: The "How Penelope Got Her Groove Back" chapter..
Derek was sulking. He knew it. Everything about him, from his pout, to the way he was stomping around his house, just reeked sulk. Normally, it was not in his behavior scheme to be petulant. In this case, he felt justfied, not that it made him feel even one ounce better.
He was worried too, which was also uncommon for him. Derek thought worrying was a stupid waste of time. Yet, here he sat, worried to death his baby girl wouldn't come to her senses fast enough. He worried he did the wrong thing in leaving.
It took all of his courage to get dressed and get the hell out of Penelope's apartment. He wanted to hold her and tell her all the fantastic things she was to him. He wanted to profess every love he had, every passion he felt for her. He wanted to shout it at her, so loudly she'd finally get it.
However, deep in his heart, he knew none of that would matter to her. Not if she didn't believe it herself. Her little negative comments hit him like the recoil from a shotgun. All this time he thought she would never see him as more than a friend. His vanity made him think it had to do with how she saw him. That had nothing to do with it, nothing at all.
Instead, it had everything to do with how she saw herself.
He couldn't just tell her, she wouldn't really believe it. She'd think he was being good to her, like she said, or worse taking pity on her. He felt awful he never saw her faith in herself fading. He was rather blind when it came to love!
Somehow, the most dynamic woman he ever knew lost her confidence, and he couldn't fix it for her. No, she needed to find that herself. He really, really hoped she'd find it quickly.
Once she did, he would do everything in his power to help her keep it.
Derek heard the key turn in his door. Only one person had a key, so he knew right away who it was. He turned from his position on the couch and was so glad to see her. He missed her. The past nine hours forty-seven minutes were miserable for him. It was almost laughable; she probably wouldn't believe that either.
"Hiya, sweet cheeks," she said, kicking off her shoes and unzipping her jacket. "Whew! It's cold out!" She had on a cute little scarf and mittens, and her glasses were fogging up. She was so damn adorable.
"Pen, we need to talk." Derek wanted to get everything out in the open, to let her know he supported her.
"Yes, sugar, we do. But first I need to get comfortable," she said, walking over to about five feet in front of him, pulling her skirt up just a little. He watched as one silky thigh high stocking slid down her leg. She shot him a little half grin before the other stocking followed suit.
Derek swallowed. Then he smiled. "You know I really love you, right?"
"Mmm hmm," she murmured, as her short little flouncy skirt joined the stockings. She was wearing the teeniest little lace panties.
Between those legs and those panties, he was having a hard time concentrating but he was determined. She had to know how he felt. "And I'm always here… oh, hell yes."
Her shirt was over her head, those panties had a perfect matching bra that looked about two sizes too small in the cups for what his baby girl had going on. He was done talking, he couldn't even if he tried. He just sat back and enjoyed the rest of the show.
"Derek, love, I have no doubt anymore that you want me," she said, reaching behind her, then sliding the bra off onto the floor. She slid the little panties off next and walked over to him on the couch. "And I could tell you a million reasons why you do…"
He was hanging on her every word. His eyes were almost desperately hot. Her nakedness was so new to him still, it knocked the smooth right out of him. He was fine with that; he'd be her devoted puppy anytime she wanted him to be!
"But I'm only going to give you one," she said, straddling his lap to give him a little kiss, no where near enough for what he was wanting at the moment. "You want me because you love me, just the way I am."
"Oh, baby girl," he said, pulling her down and kissing her with all the passion he had in him. It was hungry, urgent, but so very loving. He broke away, holding her close. "I didn't….. I wanted…" He laughed a little. He still could barely speak; that's how much she affected him!
She kissed the side of his neck, his ear. "I know, sweetheart. I'm so sorry for being so stupid." She looked at him again and she couldn't help it: she had tears in her eyes. "I love you, too, Derek. So very much."
His shot her his trademark grin. "Like I had any doubt," he teased. Then he stood, taking her with him, walking towards his bedroom, to alleviate any more worries about how much he loved her. But he didn't have to; she already knew.
AN: Want to know what happens once they hit the bedroom, or just an epilogue? I have it written both ways. I'm having a hard time deciding. Let me know....
