A/N: Hey Y'all! I just wanted to send you guys a HUGE "I'm sorry" for taking so long on this chapter. Too much business from real life had me spinning a bit, some good, some not-so-good, and I won't bore you with the details, but needless to say, it's been hard to find time to write (or read, for that matter). So, I have some good news and bad news. First, the bad news: life has only gotten way busier. This next month I have a pretty big deadline that's quite a big deal in my life/future (very nervous) so I will be busier than usual. Which means, I won't have any time to write for the next 3-4 weeks :( But don't worry, when all this clears up, I should have much more time to write on a regular basis (real life will still kick my ass though, I'm sure). Okay, now the good news: this is my longest chapter yet. Almost 7000 words (!) and I hope that makes up for the long wait.
Also, I wanted to thank you guys for continuing to read my story and a smack on the ass for those who reviewed. Seriously, you guys warm my heart, even when life gets a little nutso, you guys never fail to put a big smile on my face. Life has been pretty awful to a lot of people in the world (makes my problems look like a walk in the park) and it's just nice to feel the love and I'm sending a ton out back to you. Thank you. I really hope you enjoy this chapter!
A huge thank you to my beautiful betas: Tweety4be and Fanpire4000 (who BTW, has an awesome Hunger Games fic going and if you haven't checked it out, I strongly recommend you do. So good!). Fanpire got this chapter and immediately beta'd it so I could post ASAP! So sweet. My ladies rock any house, any where!
Disclaimer: Don't own in Darkest Powers
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Oh, my God. Am I really doing this?"
Chloe turned again in Ashley's full length mirror, eyes going straight to her jean-encased derriere. It looked very prominent in those jeans...very prominent, much more than Chloe remembered when she tried them on in the fitting room. Thankfully, she was wearing a slightly baggy sweater. Unthankfully, it came right above her hips, not covering what she wanted covered. The sweater was a compromise. Originally, Chloe had wanted...well, wanted to wear a long sweater that was actually a dress, and Mila and Ashley weren't having it. She was sure Jen would've been on her side, but Jen was currently at a cousin's wedding and wouldn't be joining them.
Yanking on the hem of the sweater for the hundredth time, Chloe was in enough stubborn denial that she was sure she would eventually stretch it. Right?
"Chloe, you have to stop pulling," Mila chastised, coming up beside Chloe. "The sweater's not going to lengthen, but it may warp or something, and that won't be any good." She squeezed Chloe's shoulder reassuringly. "Besides, you look so pretty tonight, but not like you tried too hard."
"Totally!" Ashley shouted from the bathroom. "And I'm so ready to party tonight," Ashley added loudly.
Mila gave Chloe a look, then whispered, "We'll have to keep an eye on Ash. She can get a little crazy in a party setting."
Chloe nodded, remembering what Mila had told her from previous experiences. One of the reasons the girls were staying over at Ashley's was because she had the latest curfew, but she was also considered the wild one of Mila's friends.
"You still don't mind being designated driver?" Mila asked.
"No, not in the least. I'm not much of a drinker," Chloe replied, then looking closely at her friend, she added, "Are you nervous?"
"A little," Mila answered quickly, then grinned. "Okay, a lot. And you?"
"Not really," Chloe smiled back, "more like terrified."
"Terrified?" Ashley repeated, sauntering into her room, dressed like she was going clubbing instead of a small party. "There will be no terror tonight. Tonight, we are going to have fun. We're going to drink some drinks, some without alcohol," Ashley said, looking gratefully at Chloe. "Maybe dance and talk to some cute boys. And tonight, we're going to be bold and not worry about anything stupid like consequences." She looked pointedly at Chloe and Mila. "Grab your keys, Chloe, 'cause tonight we are going to have fun even if it kills us!"
Chloe exchanged a look with Mila. Dear Lord, help us.
…...
It was cool, crisp night as the girls folded themselves into Chloe's car and the excited, nervous energy bounced off them as they made their way. Rolling into Simon and Derek's neighborhood, Chloe's nerves had spiked from mildly terrified into this-is-crazy-maybe-we-should-turn-around-and-go-home terrified. In fact, she was so nervous, she could barely register the minutes from: parking her car, how tight her jeans were, walking up the driveway, how tight her jeans were, Ashley knocking on the front door, the blonde guy she had never seen before ushering them in, how tight her...
Curious, Chloe glanced around the entrance as her friends chatted with the stranger; she didn't see anyone about but she heard several voices down the hall.
"And you are?" a voice interrupted.
"Um, what?" Chloe jumped, realizing the guy was addressing her.
"Your name's Umwhat?" he teased, a goofy smile breaking out on his face.
"Sorry. I'm Chloe," she smiled back.
"Hmm...I like Umwhat better." He glanced around to Chloe's friends, looking a beat longer at Ashley, or rather, Ashley's short skirt. "I'm Peter," he said, waving his hand with a flourish, almost spilling the drink he was holding. "And I'm assuming you guys are friends with Simon?"
"Actually, Chloe here is friends with Derek," Mila offered.
He laughed, like that was a punchline to a joke, before he realized it wasn't and his expression turned into utter bewilderment. "Friends?" he choked out. "With Derek?"
Chloe would've probably giggled at how incredulous he looked if she wasn't feeling so anxious at the moment. He took a large gulp of his drink, like maybe the answer to this question lay at the bottom of his cup. And judging by the slight sway of his body, Chloe was pretty sure he was well on his way to getting completely smashed.
"How is that possible? I've been neighbors with Simon and Derek for a long time now and I'm barely friends with Derek," he said. "In fact, I'm pretty sure every time I come over to hang with Simon, Derek wants to kick my ass."
Chloe couldn't help smiling at that. I can see that.
"I remember you," Mila suddenly exclaimed, with a snap of her fingers. "Peter, you were in our freshman class, right?"
"That's right," Ashley answered excitedly. "You were in the first half of the school year until..." She paused.
"Until I was apprehended for the possession of marijuana on school property," Peter said in a fake authoritarian voice. "Allegedly," he added in air quotes; he smiled winningly at them, oblivious to the awkward tension that had suddenly flared up.
"So, you lovely ladies look like you could use a drink," he offered, glancing over at Ashley's short skirt again. "If you'll follow me please."
Immediately, Chloe's anxiety spiked and her eyes shot towards Mila who, not surprisingly, looked like she was feeling the exact same way. As they entered the kitchen, Chloe's gaze darted around for a familiar hulking shape, but Derek wasn't there, just a few people Chloe recognized from school.
"So, we got plenty of beer," Peter explained, opening the stocked fridge, "or I can make you my very own special concoction that will surely put you in a party mood." He gestured to the assortment of alcohol and juices on the kitchen island.
"I'll definitely have one of those," Ashley piped in. "And so will this girl over here," she said, throwing her arm over a dubious looking Mila.
"And what will you be having, Umwhat?" Peter grinned at Chloe.
"I'll have a soda please," Chloe replied.
Peter's face fell.
"She's designated driver tonight," Mila clarified.
He looked at Chloe sympathetically while mumbling, "taking one for the team," as he handed her a can of coke.
A few moments later, each girl had a drink in her hand and Peter had wrangled Ashley into a conversation, with Mila and Chloe chatting amongst themselves.
Taking a sip of her drink, Mila grimaced slightly. "Whoa. This is really strong. I bet I could light it on fire," she whispered to Chloe. "Okay, let's go over the rules."
"Oh, right. The rules," Chloe repeated. Mila's older sister gave Mila a simple list of rules based on how to act around a guy you like at a party—and she was pretty adamant about it.
Mila scrunched her face in concentration as she tried to repeat her sister's wisdom verbatim. "We are to never search the guy out and talk to him unless approximately three hours have passed at a party or unless he approaches us first."
"Right, so we don't look desperate..." Chloe prompted, "or something."
Nodding, Mila continued, "We are to not place ourselves in a position where we are facing the guy head on at the party."
Confused, Chloe asked, "So does that mean we shouldn't be in the same room?"
"Uh, no. I think it means if we are in the same room we shouldn't be facing him directly. So, like, only our profile or the back of us should be in his line of sight," Mila explained, then grinned widely. "Or in your case, just the back of you should be in Derek's line of sight."
"Very funny," Chloe smiled, blushing a little. "What else?"
"Don't get too drunk, which won't be a problem for you, but..." Mila sniffed her drink. "But for me, I think I'm drunk from just smelling this." She took another tentative sip, then her eyes looked over Chloe's shoulder and widened. "Oh, God. It's Simon. Oh, shit! How do I look?"
"You look gorgeous, Mila," Chloe assured. Turning around, she saw Simon making his way through the kitchen, then his eyes rested on them and face instantly brightened.
"Oh, my God! He's coming over here," Mila whispered frantically. "Do I turn around? What was that rule again?"
"It's okay. We'll just chat with him for a couple minutes and see what happens," Chloe suggested in a calm voice, giving her friend an encouraging nudge.
"Yes, right. Just a chat. For a couple minutes," Mila mumbled to herself, her breathing becoming slightly erratic as Simon drew closer.
"Hey, Simon," Chloe greeted, hoping to give Mila a couple of minutes to recover.
"Hey, you two, glad you could make it." He settled in front of them. "I see you've already got drinks."
"Yeah, I'm driving tonight," Chloe said, raising her coke, "but Peter took care of Mila and our friend, Ashley."
Simon looked a little horrified by that bit of information. "Peter made you a drink? Do you want me to get you something else?" he asked Mila. "You don't have to drink that, you know."
Mila just stood there and gulped in response and Chloe immediately cut in, "Actually, Mila was just joking that she could light her drink on fire. Probably could burn off all the alcohol in it. Right, Mila?"
"Right," Mila breathlessly murmured, trying her best to look collected.
Simon grinned at that, his cuteness shining in all it's glory and Chloe could tell by Mila's blank expression that her brain just went down in a fiery blaze of glory. Even Chloe was a little speechless by the onslaught of Simon's looks and she didn't even like him in that way. Seriously, his smile could be a superpower.
"My drink is fine, Simon," Mila managed.
"You're sure?" He looked doubtful. "If you change your mind, let me know, okay?"
"Okay," Mila replied, smiling bravely up at Simon.
He smiled back and there seemed to a little shyness at the edge of his features. Chloe scrutinized him curiously. Yes, he definitely seems a little shy. Maybe nervous? Feeling hopeful for Mila, those good feelings promptly took a nose-dive when she saw Simon's girlfriend with her friends, eyeing them with hostile suspicion from across the kitchen.
Oh, yeah. I almost forgot about her.
At that moment, Tori, looking simultaneously stunning and terrifying, stalked into the kitchen, brushing roughly against Simon's girlfriend, causing her to stumble into her friends.
"Oops, so sorry," Tori beamed evilly. "Didn't see you there." The girls glared murderously after her, but none of them seemed eager to confront Tori, whether it be because she was Simon's family or she was just plain scary. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Chloe.
"Well, well," Tori drawled, sauntering over towards Chloe. "Got an invite, did you?"
Nodding in response, Chloe asked, "So, I take it you're not going over to Brady's party tonight?"
"Ugh...please, just hearing his name makes me want give myself a lobotomy," Tori replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. "And I know you already know the answer to that question. It's a big hell no. I will not be hauling my ass to that din of STDs tonight."
Chloe giggled at that, then hearing Simon's booming laugh, they both turned, regarding Simon and Mila who were joking with each other. Mila looked more like her usual self—bubbly and sweet—than she did a few minutes ago.
Tori eyed them closely. "I must say, Chloe, your friend would be a huge step up from that thing Simon's currently dating." They glanced over at Simon's girlfriend and her friends, who were still shooting daggers their way. Tori blew them a kiss, laughing loudly when the girls huffed and flounced away.
"Not a fan?" Chloe asked.
"Most of his past girlfriends are about as lovable as a rabid dog, but that one..." Tori added, narrowing her eyes, "is one grade A bitch. Can't wait until he gets rid of her."
I couldn't agree more, Chloe thought as she snuck a glimpse of Mila and Simon smiling at each other.
"So, I'm assuming you just got here?" Tori asked, scrutinizing Chloe, one eyebrow raised. "You haven't seen our favorite, anti-social giant yet, have you?"
"What? You mean Derek? Nope. Uh, nope. I haven't seen him," Chloe stated, trying to sound casual but judging Tori's slow smile, Chloe knew she wasn't fooling anyone, so she tried a different tactic. "Um, is Liz here tonight?"
Tori snorted. "Yep, she's around here somewhere. She's probably making the rounds, being the good Samaritan and saving people from awkward conversations or something like that." Then Tori grinned as she peered past Chloe's head, before saying, "Speaking of awkward..."
A loud round of coughing burst behind Chloe and her heart leapt when she turned to see Derek, who was slightly hunched over, fist to his mouth, coughing like he was choking.
"Take a deep breath from the nose," Tori suggested loudly, a smirk playing on her lips.
Derek shot her a glare as he managed to regulate his breathing. Looking a little flushed from all the coughing, Chloe assumed, he made his way over to them. She attempted one last tug on her sweater as she mentally prepared herself for his presence.
"You okay?" she asked, peering up at him as he stood front of her.
"Yeah, yeah," he breathed out, gesturing to his throat. "My drink—it just went down the wrong pipe."
"That's what happens when you suddenly inhale liquid," Tori put in.
He slid another glower her way. "Do you have to be in this specific spot, Tori?"
An innocent expression spread across her face. "What? I'm just chatting with Chloe here," she said, flinging an arm over Chloe's shoulder. "'Cause we're friends." Attempting to prove her point, she jostled Chloe a bit in a one-armed hug. "See?"
He gave her dry, disbelieving look. "I'm sure you can find another friend to torture somewhere else," he rumbled, staring her down with a scowl that would've made a grown man cry.
Tori gave a loud sigh. "Fine, whatever. I know when I'm not wanted," she retorted, which earned a snort from Derek. "Have fun," she sang, throwing a wink in Chloe's direction and an evil smirk at Derek's, before wandering away.
"She wasn't rude to you, was she?" Derek asked.
Chloe shook her head. "No. Actually, we get along just fine." She looked up at his skeptical face. His extremely nice, angular, skeptical face which is so—
"I'm relieved to see you're not drinking one of Peter's drinks," Derek said, interrupting her thoughts as he looked down at the coke Chloe was holding. "People who do have a tendency to embarrass themselves, then spend the night hunched over a toilet."
Chloe stifled a giggle. "Do you speak from experience?"
"Thankfully, no," he smiled, "but Simon does." He waved his beer. "I'll probably nurse a couple of these tonight, but I'm really not much of a drinker."
"Me neither," Chloe answered. "So, this seems like a nice mellow party? I'm sure you're relieved." He nodded and they continued to chat like that for a bit, it was a little awkward and Chloe's voice cracked a few times with nervousness but she managed to not say anything horrifically humiliating, so that was a plus.
A few times, Chloe peered over at Simon and Mila who were still engaged in what now looked like a deep conversation. She smiled to herself.
"I predict drama is going to go down tonight. With Simon," Derek stated, following Chloe's gaze to his brother and Mila.
"You mean, with him and his girlfriend?"
Nodding, Derek glanced at them again. "It's always something with her. Always some problem. I think Simon's getting tired of it."
Chloe was liking this new information. "Tori says she's a grade A bitch."
A quiet chuckle rumbled in his chest and Chloe's heart sang from the sound. "Yeah, you could definitely describe her as that." A smile broke out on his face. "Definitely not a nice girl." He gazed down at Chloe and there was a softness around his eyes that had her blushing from her cheeks down to her toes. And there was something else. A heavy feeling that weighted within her ribs. Warm and—
"Derek, my main man!" Peter shouted, walking over to them with his hand raised, ready for a high-five. Derek just stood there, his face inscrutable. "That's alright, bro," Peter said, lowering his hand, still looking cheerful. He reached over and snagged an unsuspecting Simon in a headlock, thereby ending the conversation Mila was having with him.
"Hey, man, are we going to party or what?" Peter laughed, as Simon shoved him off.
Peter earned an exasperated look from Simon and scowl from Derek. "Just kidding," he grinned. By then, several people came to refill their drinks, mingling about and Chloe was drawn into a conversation with a few people she shared classes with. She was finally able to wiggle out of the conversation, but by the time she did, Derek was gone.
Trying to stave off disappointment, she reminded herself that there would plenty of opportunities to talk to him again. Plus, she needed to know how everything went with Mila and Simon. A few minutes later, Chloe and Mila, with Ashley's help, had dissected every second of the conversations they had with the boys, which was fun in itself and they began to relax and have a good time. Music blared, people got tipsy and danced around and time went by quickly. Chloe chatted with Liz and Tori, joked with Ashley, and giggled over boys with Mila. However, Chloe didn't talk with Derek again. She was trying to follow the rules and have him approach her, and a few times he seemed to be trying to. A couple times she caught his eye and he made his way over to her, only to be intercepted once by Simon and another time by a very drunk Peter. Once, he even plopped down next to her on a large couch, his mouth open to say something but a loud crash in the next room had him cursing and excusing himself to see what is was.
All of this would have been fine, but after a couple of hours, time suddenly seemed to be working against her. Ashley, with the help of a couple of Peter's drinks, was soon making her way to becoming completely shitfaced. Mila expressed her worry that Ashley was a hairbreadth away from kicking off her heels and dancing on the coffee table.
"I've been through this before," Mila murmured to Chloe. "The last time we went to a party, Ashley got so wasted, she wore a bird feeder on her head and wouldn't stop singing Maria Carey songs. Badly." Mila rolled her eyes. "Luckily, we were at her cousin's party. No one from school was there. Thank God for small miracles."
"Did she just get another drink?" Chloe asked, looking at Ashley's full cup. Mila was holding Ashley's drink as Ashley swayed to the music, her eyes slightly glassy, arms swinging to their own rhythm.
"No," Mila smiled. "I gave her a mixture of juices and some 7-up thrown in there. I don't think she's noticed yet."
"Nice," Chloe grinned, then whispered, "I'll be right back. Bathroom."
Really, Chloe didn't need the bathroom, she just needed a second to be alone and emotionally regroup and maybe "run into Derek". Taking the roundabout way to the restroom, Chloe was hoping she'd spot him, but she didn't. She was even hoping there might be a line to the bathroom and maybe he'd be waiting in it or maybe she'd be waiting for the bathroom and the door would open and it would be him or maybe—
...or maybe I'll drive myself crazy at the end of the night with all my maybes!
Sighing in frustration, she stomped into the restroom and stared at her reflection. Her makeup still looked fresh, and she had to admit she looked good. Mila had done a fantastic job on her makeup—it was subtle and pretty—she just wished it wasn't wasted on this night. She didn't have many expectations for tonight but she did expect to have at least one long conversation with Derek. She looked at her reflection again, this time with determination.
Stop it! Stop being negative. Tonight's not over. It's not over until we physically leave this house, so stop it.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped out of the restroom only to hear hushed angry voices.
"I can't believe it. You're actually going to that douche's party?"
A guy's voice.
"Simon, don't be like that," a girl's voice whined. "There's a guy Britney likes and he'll there and she really wants to go."
Chloe stepped closer, pressing herself against the wall. That's Simon's girlfriend.
"Then let her. That doesn't mean you have to go," he answered, his voice tight.
"But I promised her I'd go with her," she replied, simpering.
"You know how I feel about Brady, don't you? You know I fucking can't stand the guy, right?"
"Simon, it's the biggest party of the year so far. All my friends will be there. You can't expect me—"
"I expect you to stay at your own boyfriend's party," he said with exasperation. "Which is me, by the way, in case you forgot."
"Oh, really," she snapped, the simpering tone gone now replaced with a sneer. "With all the girls drooling all over you, I'm surprised you remember that."
"What are you talking about?" Simon retorted, his voice angry now.
"Do you think I'm stupid? I can see all those girls just waiting to get you alone, Simon. Especially, that one—Michelle...Mila, or whatever."
"Mila? She talked to me once tonight. Once. And she's been only nice and appropriate with me."
"Oh, is that what that is? Nice and appropriate," the simpering was back but with a sarcastic twist. "It's just a matter of time until one of those sluts makes a move and you'll be—"
"What the hell are you accusing me of?" Simon demanded. "Of maybe cheating on you in the future?" His voice rose, cracking with anger. "I may have dated a lot of girls but I have never messed around with anyone behind their back. Have you ever heard a rumor about me cheating on anyone?"
"No, but—"
"That's right! No, you haven't," he seethed. "I can't believe it..." He stopped, and Chloe heard him loudly exhale. "You know what, just go. Just...whatever."
The sound of footsteps coming towards her had Chloe hightailing it in the opposite direction. This was big news, news that she needed to tell Mila right away. Speedwalking back to where her friends were, Chloe smacked right into Tori, almost knocking them both down.
"Whoa!" Tori stumbled, grabbing Chloe around the shoulder, trying to keep them both upright.
"Tori, God, I'm so sorry," Chloe gasped.
Letting Chloe go, Tori straightened herself out. "Jesus. Are you trying to kill me?"
"Sorry," Chloe repeated, "it's just..." Her voice halted when she saw the mischievous smile spreading over Tori's face. "What?"
"Actually, I was looking for you."
Chloe pulled a strand of hair out of her mouth. "Really?" she asked warily.
"Derek wanted me to tell you he's on the back porch."
"Oh? Okay." Immediately, Chloe's heart jumped at that information and she squeaked, "Where's that?"
Tori's smile widened with glee. "This way. C'mon, I'll show you." Grabbing Chloe's arm, she dragged her to the kitchen and pointed to a door. "Right over there."
Swallowing hard, Chloe just stood there, staring at the door. Tori nudged her. "The door's not going to bite, you know."
"I—sorry," Chloe mumbled.
"You'll be fine," Tori said, still smiling but this time with encouragement. "I gotta go. There's a cute boy that I'm determined to kiss tonight." She gave Chloe a wink and strolled away.
Taking a few deep breaths, Chloe approached the door. Just act natural. Normal. You know, just be...not a freak. And for God's sake don't even look at his hands!
She reached for the doorknob—heart pounding—and turned it, walking outside into the cool night, her breath steaming in front of her. It was a small porch, lit brightly by the light pouring through the open door and Chloe's eyes rested on Derek, sitting on a large deck chair.
"Hey," she murmured, closing the door behind her. Instantly, it was dark, the only light source was the soft glow of a curtained window from the house.
"Hey," he repeated back. "Just had to get out of the house. Get some fresh air."
"Yeah, it's pretty stuffy in there." She stepped further onto the porch, her eyes taking in the outline of his face and shoulders from the soft light. "Winter's coming. The nights are getting chillier."
"Are you cold?" Derek asked, shifting in his seat to get up. "I can get you—"
"No, no, I'm fine, Derek," she assured. "It feels good to be out here. Plus, I'm wearing a sweater and..." And the tightest jeans ever made. She pulled at the hem of her sweater.
Derek mumbled something under his breath.
Chloe moved over to a chair across from him and perched herself on the armrest. "So, you were right about the drama tonight."
He looked puzzled for a moment, then understanding spread over his face. "Simon."
Nodding, Chloe told him the argument that she overheard.
"She's a pain in the ass. I think Simon will cut her loose in a few days," Derek replied.
"Well, I think a lot of girls will be happy with that information," Chloe reasoned, then seeing a strange look cross Derek's face, she quickly added, "but I'm definitely not one of them. Uh, not even a little bit. I mean, at all." Immediately, she chastised herself, feeling panicked that she may have been a little too obvious about her feelings for him.
An awkward silence followed and Chloe was trying desperately to think of something to say to fill it, before Derek loudly cleared his throat.
"So, I...I wanted to..." he started, then stopped, clearing his throat again. "I wanted to say something...about that conversation we had in the library."
"In the library?" Chloe asked, her heart skipping at his serious tone.
"Yeah, you know, after the football game accident." Staring at her, he licked his lips anxiously. "About what I said...about your mother."
"Oh." Chloe's heart constricted at the painful memory. "Y-Yes?"
"I just..." Pausing, Derek lowered his head, swearing at himself. "I wanted to explain myself. Explain why I reacted so badly."
Chloe gulped and shifted on the armrest.
"I...I..." Derek seemed to physically struggle with the words, like they were literally fighting to stay inside him. He tried again. "It's...that—"
"Derek, are you trying to apologize to me?" Chloe asked gently.
He nodded, eyes looking pained.
"Then I accept your apology," she said simply, smiling softly.
"It..." He shook his head. "It's not just about an apology, Chloe. Even though it's obvious I still owe you one. It's just..." He ran his hand roughly through his hair. "I want you to understand why, I guess." His eyes locked desperately onto hers. "It's about my past." He took a deep breath. "It's not..." He seemed to struggle again, and Chloe sat there, feeling helpless, the look on his face breaking her heart.
After a couple of long minutes, Derek still hadn't managed to continue and Chloe couldn't take it anymore.
"Derek," she prompted quietly, "you don't have to tell me."
He stared at her. "No, I want to. It's just that—I..."
There was another pause. "How about you tell me later," she offered softly, "when you feel more comfortable." Without thinking, she reached over and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze, then blushed when she realized what she had just done. "I—I—" she stammered helplessly, pulling her hand away but Derek's tightened around her's, not letting her go. Her eyes flicked to his face and he was...looking at her in a strange way. "Derek, I—"
The door suddenly burst open, light spilling outside along with a staggering Peter. He swayed upright, blood-shot eyes darting to Chloe and Derek, then to their clasped hands.
"Ho hooo, am I interrupting something?" he slurred suggestively, eyebrows waggling.
Chloe tugged her hand out of Derek's and sprang to her feet, feeling self-conscious and annoyed.
"Yeah, actually, you are, Peter," Derek growled, gesturing at the door. "Now turn around and get your ass back inside."
"Not a problem, my man," Peter drawled. "I totally understand completely. You need some alone time with the pretty girl, not that I blame you. In fact, I'm trying to hook up with her friend and I—"
"Peter!" Derek snapped.
"Right, I'm getting out of your hair now," Peter declared, spinning on the spot but, not surprisingly, his drunk self lost his balance and stumbled backwards into Chloe. They both lurched, with Peter grappling and Chloe trying fruitlessly to regain her balance. She hit the porch railing with her hip and with Peter's combined momentum, her head slammed against a vertical beam from the porch with a crack. Pain exploded in the back of Chloe's skull and she cried out, now disoriented and falling quickly to the floor. Strong hands grabbed her before she did, hauling her up and into a sitting position.
Clutching at her head and wincing in pain, Chloe peeked her eyes open and found herself just a few inches from Derek's worried face.
"Are you okay? Did you hit your head? It looked like you hit your head," he said in a rush, his hands gripping her shoulders.
And that's when Chloe noticed.
Noticed where she was sitting.
Oh, my. Oh, my...I'm. I'm. I'm sitting. On Derek Souza's. Lap.
I'msittingonDerekSouza'slap!
He was so warm and so big and so, so close. So close. She could see how thick the dark fringes of his eyelashes were, and how green his eyes appeared, even in the dark, and how white his teeth gleamed as he continued talking to her in that concerned voice...
"Huh? What?" Chloe managed stupidly.
"Jesus, Chloe. Are you okay?" Peter nearly shouted, which was not making her head feel any better. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. I just—"
"You don't know what happened?" Derek nearly barked. "What happened was your drunk ass nearly gave her goddamn concussion. That's what happened!"
"I know. God, I'm so sorry," Peter said, his arms gesticulating wildly, swinging a little too close to Chloe's liking.
"For fuck's sake, Peter!" Derek said, waving his long arm protectively in front of Chloe. "Stop flinging your hands around like a freaking crazy person. Are you trying to knock her teeth out too?"
Peter clamped his arms to his side. "Right. Sorry." Then he staggered closer. "Here, let me—"
"What? Are you nuts?" Derek retorted, his hand now ready to push Peter away if he needed. All this movement had Chloe jostling on Derek's lap very pleasantly. Very pleasantly.
"Just go inside, Peter," Derek said, in a more controlled voice. "I'll take care of it."
Peter looked guiltily at Chloe and she couldn't help feel a little sorry for him. "I'm okay, Peter." His face was doubtful. "Really, my head doesn't hurt that much," she lied. Nodding once, Peter turned and teetered back inside.
I'm alone with Derek. And I'm sitting on his lap. And I'm freaking out.
"Where did you hurt yourself?" Derek asked, his hands running over her head, checking for any injuries.
Chloe could barely register the simple question with him touching her. "Uh, right here," she whispered, her hand grazing the bump that had already formed on the back of her head. His fingers gently examined the area.
"Well, you're not bleeding, but there is a lump forming." He gently rubbed the area, his hands—his gorgeous hands—were making her feel both flustered and relaxed. "Is there any other place that hurts?" he asked, lightly grasping her chin, turning her face to see if the rest of her head was okay.
"Uh-uh," Chloe breathed out, her heart now thumping hard against her ribs. She was watching his eyes as they scanned every detail of her face with medical precision. Then his gaze gradually changed. It slowed, moving almost lazily over her features until it rested on her mouth.
He was staring...
Staring at her lips, his eyes blinking slowly, looking lost in thought. Unconsciously, Chloe's lips parted and Derek's expression turned almost pained as he continued to stare. Seconds seemed to lengthen as they remained watching each other. His smell—his yummy, spicy smell swirled around her. He was drifting closer to her, Chloe was sure of it, and she leaned into him, waiting for him to meet her as all thoughts flew right out of her head. The world seemed to blur around them, like they were the only two people that existed in this moment, as Chloe felt his fingertips skim the back of her neck and his warm breath puffed across her mouth. So close now.
Then he kissed her.
It wasn't so much a traditional kiss, more of a brushing of his lips against hers, but her body erupted in shivers. He came back in again, but this time with a little more pressure and with a distinct soft smack of a kiss, while his hand laced through her hair, cradling her head. The tiny part of Chloe's brain that was still working, wondered how someone so large and intimidating could have such soft lips and such an amazing, tender touch. Her hands looped around his neck as they lingered together—their mouths meeting in a seamless series of slow, gentle pecks. And she thought she may have died and gone to heaven, because nothing feels this good.
And nothing felt like it.
She felt like floating and melting, all at the same time, every part of her heating up, flushing. She wondered how someone could have so much power over her as he continued to kiss her like it was the last thing he'd ever do—ever wanted to do.
And she didn't want it to stop.
His large, perfect hand hooked behind both her knees and gathered her close, her body molding into his. He was warmer this way—solid and angled—pressed against her, slowly kissing her. Her heart was pounding now but she could feel that his was too, and she smiled to herself.
Then his lips parted and the tip of his tongue grazed her upper lip. Chloe wasn't certain, but she was pretty sure she made some weird, squeaky sound. She answered him by parting her own lips and tentatively sliding her tongue against his. Derek groaned and embraced her tighter. The mood changed instantly. His mouth moved over hers firmly, hard, with an intensity that left her breathless. This wasn't the soft, languid kisses he laid on her moments ago. This was different—hot and demanding—and Chloe could only hang on for dear life as he kissed her so thoroughly, it had her toes curling in her boots.
Gasping, Chloe clung to his shoulders, feeling like she may dissolve into a puddle at his feet as his hand angled her head to deepen his kiss. His mouth was unbelievably silky and warm. She felt drugged, disoriented, and her body tingled with an unfamiliar feeling. An overwhelming feeling.
She kissed him back with equal desperation, pulling and gripping at his shirt. More, that's what she wanted. If she was aware of herself in that moment, she would've been surprised at her behavior. This wasn't like her. They haven't even been on a first date yet and here she was making out with him like some out-of-control nympho.
But she had no intention of stopping.
A moan rose in Chloe's throat as their kisses became even more frantic. One of Derek's hands gripped her thigh, then dragged upwards passed her hip, curling around her rear. He growled, then squeezed, and Chloe could only whimper helplessly against him. If it was anyone else besides Derek groping her, she probably would've jumped up and smacked them, maybe even threatened to mace them. But this was Derek Souza, and Chloe would've let him throw her off a bridge at this point.
They were both breathing hard now, mouths still clashing and tasting. She felt his other hand trailing downwards, slipping under her sweater and her back arched when she felt the feathery touch of his fingertips on her spine. This was a good idea—hands touching bare skin—a really good idea, so she snaked a hand underneath his shirt, sliding over hot, smooth skin. He was...trembling—shaking like a leaf, but Chloe was too, she realized. And she also realized that a trembling Derek seemed unbearably vulnerable to her and a vulnerable Derek was so utterly...
Hot.
A sound vibrated from his throat; he was mumbling against her mouth.
"What?" she gasped, pulling away momentarily.
"Chloe..." he whispered, his breath hot against her lips. She felt his hand sweep down behind her thigh, then back up to the curve of her rear again. "Shit. I—you look..." His hand tightened around the softness of her and he murmured a breathless noise that had her insides fluttering. She snaked another hand up his shirt, her fingertips skimming the strong, smooth sides of his torso, as he pulled her into another kiss. They were both moaning and sighing, uncaring and unaware of the noise they were making—completely consumed by each other. The hand on Chloe's back drifted up along her spine, slipping underneath the thick strap of her bra, caressing, and if Chloe could have fainted from the overwhelming sensations, she would've been passed out cold already. Slowly, his hand moved, tracing the path of her bra, migrating forward, grazing past her ribs, moving closer to her—
"Holy—What!"
Both of them jumped, breaking away from each other, squinting at the sudden brightness of the open door. There, Mila and Simon stood frozen, their jaws gaping, looking almost comical in their stunned expressions.
"I—I'm sorry. I didn't," Mila stammered. "Peter, he said—you hurt..your head. I—" Her eyes looked like they'd pop right out of their sockets. "I—I—we didn't mean to—"
Next to her, Simon's startled face broke out into a slow grin. He hooked a hand around Mila's arm and dragged her back inside the house. "Sorry about that," he said smoothly, "we'll just head back inside. Leave you guys to...whatever you were doing." Still smiling, Simon pulled Mila further inside, closing the door behind them and the porch was enveloped in darkness again.
Chloe turned to face Derek but the sight of him had her stomach dropping. He looked troubled, almost horrified.
"Derek?" she murmured and reached for him.
He jumped up causing her to tumble off his lap. Quickly, he caught her, helping her to her feet, then yanked his hands away, like she had burnt them. She peered up at him confused and feeling the first stirrings of concern.
"Derek—"
"Chloe, I—I never...I didn't mean to just—" His voice stalled and he was looking so remorseful, almost panicked. Her heart took a dive to the pit of her stomach. "I should never have..."
Regret. He looks like he's regretting this. Regretting me...
Desperately, he looked at her, like he was willing her to understand. "I have to go. I'm sorry," he said and hurriedly ran down the stairs of the porch, away from the house, the night swallowing him up almost instantaneously. Chloe just stood there, shocked and confused—disappointment and heartache closing around her. There was only one coherent thought—a question she asked herself over and over as she stood outside, hugging herself, in the cool night air...
Why did he run away from me?
:::::::::::::::::::::::::