Es(Courting)
Inspired By: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang.
Disclaimer: I don't own LwD or The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang.
AN: I read The Kiss Quotient (and then, reread it instantly) and the as per usual could not help but relate the main characters to my favs, so here we are!

Es(Courting):
Chapter 1

Derek had become a little predictable in his 20's. He could be found in one of the few places on any given day...

The library. To his younger self surprise, he spent a lot of his time studying for classes in his college library. He had started college a few years later than expected and had a lot of catching up to do. Once he started, he didn't take a single semester off, attending the winter and summer session as well. There was no room for his slacker ways. So the library had become a good place for him.

The ice rink, obviously. He mostly played pick up games with whoever was available. He would also coach a few kids one on one whenever it came up. His dreams of playing professional hockey had faded faster then he'd like to admit, a heartbreak he hadn't yet healed from. So he puts on his skates and remembers his youth as often as he could on the ice.

The gym. Not playing hockey as much as he used to had left his body weaker than he'd like to admit. So he hit the gym a few times a week. He even had a few free weights and punching bag in his small basement apartment to keep himself in shape when he couldn't make it out of the house.

The Venturi house. After high school, he came to a compromise with his dad. He would move downstairs to the basement; it had its own entrance and privacy. It would allow him to be independent (and pay rent!) while still being close enough to the kids, who dominated Derek's time. He spent a lot of his time at home with his siblings. Things had been rocky since his mom left and they never really got back on track. He did what he could. He went to the parent-teacher conference when his dad couldn't make it. He made sub-par dinners before work when his dad was working late. That kind of thing. He took his role as big brother very seriously.

The bar. He started working at the bar after he deferred university out of high school. Bartending at night allowed him to help around the house during the day. But he quickly realized that he was just a pretty face bartending which lead to women giving him propositions and tipping a little extra. At first, he didn't mind. But eventually, he realized that what he made in a month bartending, he could make in a night doing something he was much better at. After years of being told he was a skirt chasing clad throughout all of high school, he just went for it. Why not? He still worked a few shifts at the bar most weeknights, depending on his other job.

But if he couldn't be found anywhere else, he was probably in some women's bed, couch, shower you well… you get the point.

Derek waltzed into the hotel bar like he owned the place. Hell, he walked everywhere like he owned the place. It was part of his personality only amplified by his job(s). Tonight was one of those nights. It would be a hotel room. Just another day at the office. The thing about this job was it was that he was really good at it. And the better he got the faster he was in and out, no pun intended. But hey, that too.

He sat at the bar, unbuttoning his jacket. When he worked his second job, he took off the leather jacket and dressed up a bit. His clients were normally older women who paid well. They normally aged themselves down, as if it mattered. Today's client was Casey, 26. He laughed when he saw the assignment. No way. She had to be in her late 30, maybe even older. Whatever it was, he didn't judge and he was ready.

He hadn't been in that line of work for very long, but he had quickly gotten used to it. College was expensive and he was for all intents and purposes- broke and in debt. His dad would offer to help but he had two younger kids to worry about. Derek was an adult, he would take care of his finances himself. He even offered to take a loan out for Ed when he got to college. He needed to see his little brother do better than he had. So he made sure Ed got into Queens. Whatever the cost. He even drove up to see him with Marti every few weeks. Derek was supposed to go to Queens. He got a hockey scholarship- full ride. As long as he kept his grades up he was all set! But Ed and Marti needed him at home, Geroge would be a mess without him. In the end, he blamed it on his grades when he 'lost' his scholarship. But it was his heart that wouldn't let him go.

He looked around the bar, looking for brown hair and a red top. His eyes landed on her sitting at the other side of the bar alone. And shit, she looked 21. No way, this couldn't be her. His eyes glanced at her hand. No ring. Not even a tan line from where he was standing. So it wasn't a bachelorette thing either. He sighed heavily, confused. Why would a young woman like her need an escort? Something had to be wrong with her.

He approached her slowly. "Casey?" He asked, testing the name on his lips.

Her eyes shot up at him nervously. She looked like a deer in headlights. Like she hasn't set this whole thing up. Hell, maybe she hadn't? Maybe it wasn't her. "Sorry, I think I've got the wrong woman," he quickly added, turning away from her.

"Wait," She called out behind him, finally finding her voice.

He turned towards her again and got a good look at her. She was an attractive woman. The longer his eyes linger the more he realized that she was a grown woman, maybe she really was 26. She was the type of woman he would have found attractive off the clock, which was a rarity for him. God, those blue eyes that could pierce through him like arrows. And something told him that she had no idea.

"That's me. I'm Casey. Hi." She gave him a tight nervous smile, hand extended towards him like it was a job interview.

His eyebrows arched, surprised by her reaction, but he took her hand anyway. She seemed like a businesswoman. "Derek," he replied, his voice silky smooth.

"Do you want to sit? I don't know how this works. I'm nervous," she mumbled. At least she was honest. He liked that.

He nodded taking empty barstool next to her. He didn't know where to start with this one. She seemed so formal and… intriguing. Why was she there? Well, he knew why, but the reason behind the why. Did she have a kink? Did she just want to be held?

"So how does this work?" She asked getting down to business, clasping her hands together on top of the bar.

He smirked. That he could explain. "I'm just here to please," he started. "Just tell me what you want." That line alone would have most women dragging him to bed. But not this one. She had the opposite reaction.

Her eyebrows knitted together in distraught, a frown pulling at the corner of her mouth. It was not the reaction he wanted.

"I want…" she started then stopped, licking her lips slowly. "I'm bad at sex." She blurted out finally.

He wanted to laugh. It really took all his will power not to. "I highly doubt that," he replied. Because of A: It wasn't that hard. And B: she looked like that. There wasn't much she needed to do. She could be a pillow princess and it would still be decent sex.

"No. I am. I.." she trailed off frowning, not being able to find the right words.

"Are you a virgin?" He had to ask; blunt or not. Because of her nerves? How else would he explain it? And he didn't do virgins. Too many emotions. Way to hard to cope with. He was a simple man after all.

She choked out a laugh. "I wish. That would be easier." She answered. "My boyfriend... Uh, ex-boyfriend now had a few choice words for me when we broke up. Most of which had to deal with our lack of sex life." she admitted.

Derek was taken back. Normally he wouldn't ask, the less he knew the better. But he had to know what he was working with. What brought her, of all people, there with him. "What exactly did he say?" he asked softly, cautious about opening up any old wounds.

"Just that you know I was bad at it. Really bad. But I know that I can learn anything if I actually study. Even this. I just needed help... from an expert," she added, smiling up at him.

And fuck if she didn't have the sweetest smile. "And I'm the expert?" he clarified, clearing his throat that had at some point gotten dry.

Women didn't have much of an effect on him. Not anymore. Bodies were bodies. He had seen so many of them naked, it was normal for him. He had been around many women. But none had made him feel like that in a long while. It was like he had gone numb to charm and flirty women. But this one… She wasn't flirty or charming. She was raw and... something else? He wanted to figure her out.

"You had really good reviews." she shrugged.

Well, she wasn't wrong. "Casey…" he sighed. He was ready to turn her down. Ready to send her home to her cats. She looked like she had a cat, maybe two? She wasn't the type of girl who needed his services. He wasn't sure he could do this. Not with her. She was cute and innocent while somehow also being beautiful and tempting and he had only sat next to her for a few minutes and he just knew that she would break his code of ethics. This had never happened before. He took every client, but he felt like maybe he should just let this one go. It didn't feel right to make her pay for something she could easily get with any man at the very same bar.

"You don't seem like-" he stopped to watch her take out flashcards from her purse.

"Flashcards?" He asked, completely amused by her. Who were these women!?

"It's my first time… doing this sort of thing. And I like to be prepared." She smiled looking down at her notes mumbling to herself. "I brought notes too. Would you like to see them?" She asked. It must have been a point on one of her flashcards.

Notes? He wasn't sure if she was trying to talk dirty or if she was actually serious. Still, he was curious. "Sure," he smiled. The kind of smile that normally made women and even some men, weak in the knees. It didn't seem to have that effect on Casey who wasn't bothered in the slightest.

With a determined look, she pulled out a manila folder. She had really prepared like it was a test and not a simple exchange between two people. He was almost flattered that she put so much effort into the whole thing. But still, he thought to himself again, who was this woman?!

Pleased with herself she passed him a nicely typed out sheet of paper. It looked like a scale a teacher use to grade papers. Maybe she was a teacher. Or maybe that was her kink! The puzzle pieces in his mind shifted.

He looked over the document. It wasn't really… sexy. It was clinical. She wanted to know the basics. And she wanted to master them. The way she wrote about sex, the terminology; it was all so dry. Like a sex-ed textbook...

"Are you a doctor?" He asked, looking up at her. He found her, lip caught between her teeth, hands wringing together and a look of pure nerve painted across her face delicately. He knew how to deal with nerves. But she looked a little more nervous than his average everyday client.

She nodded softly. "I'm finishing up my residency," she admitted like it was a secret. She looked way too young for that. Maybe she really was 26?

"This list…" he started but stopped to smile at her. "It's a lot. Even for a seasoned vet," he explained. There was no way they could get through everything in one night. Not with her. He could tell he'd have to take his time with her. Coax her out of the shell.

"I know." She said. "I was hoping if it goes well, we could do this again." she blushed and god if that blush didn't go down her throat. Derek's eyes chased it till he couldn't anymore.

Again? Derek didn't do that. He couldn't do that. Repetition, on something so emotional like sex, could be a very dangerous thing. "I don't know about that Casey. I'm like a concert. In town for one night only..." he pushed her notes back to her.

"Well, think about it. You can decide later, " she added, putting her things into her purse.

He sighed heavily, not wanting to deny her. Not yet. He couldn't break his one cardinal rule for her… could he? "Alright," he agreed, his mind seemingly made up. He could always just return the money if it still felt wrong at the end of it. But it seemed that she had convinced him. He was doing this...erm- doing her.

"So…" she trailed off, expecting some sort of instruction from him.

This is where his job really started. He got up from his barstool and offered her his hand. "Let's get out of here" he smirked.

Her hand was like silk in his. His thumb rubbed circles across her skin as they threaded through the mass of people in the hotel lobby. He couldn't help but wonder what the rest of her felt like. Tasted like. He was getting ahead of himself. It was just so rare for him to be attracted to a client, he was actually excited.

He blatantly stared at her in the empty elevator on their way up. She was blushing pink avoiding his eyes. Acting coy, he thought. But he didn't stop. Eventually, she caught his eye and giggled like a goddamn schoolgirl. It was the cutest thing he had ever seen.

They made it to her hotel room quickly. He released his hold on her hand so she could pull out the key card and open the door.

She kicked her shoes off, dropping her things on the chair at the vanity, pulling her hair out of the clips that held it up and out of her way, shaking it out slowly like she was in a shampoo commercial. The small action seemed to visibly relax her. Derek watched her closely, she was hypnotizing.

He leaned against the closest wall, hands in his pockets as he watched her move around the room quietly. She really was beautiful. He could almost forget that he was working. He wished they would have met at the bar as normal people do.

Eventually, when she was settled she stood in front of him, lip caught between her teeth again, hands on her hips. Like she was trying to figure out a puzzle.

"Hi," she says with a soft smile, looking up at him.

"Hey," he replied, his voice low and throaty. Yes, he had a bedroom voice. He stood then, toe to toe with her, his height towering over her just a bit. They were so close he could smell the red wine from the bar still on her lips. He couldn't wait to taste it on her tongue. Devour every inch of her. He would take his time with her, he decided.

He bent his head down to meet hers. "Can I kiss you?" he asked softly, his breath tickling the shell of her ear. She seemed like the kind of girl who needed to be asked for permission. Maybe she needed to be in control. Maybe she was a dom?

She nodded so softly he could hardly register it unless he was looking for it. He pressed his body flush up against hers, a little squeak came out of her lips but got crushed between his. Her naked lips felt like velvet to his own.

"I liked that," She mumbled, her lips trying their best to form words against his slow moving mouth. "Consent. Consent is hot," she added, between kisses.

He would have laughed if his mouth wasn't otherwise occupied. Eventually, he did pull back for air a few choice words. "We're only doing what you want. What you're ok with you. You have my consent to do anything. I will ask as much with my words and my eyes. And if I do something wrong. Stop me. Tell me. Ok? Communication, verbal or not, is essential to this. Ok?" He asked again. He was going to take things slow with her. Explain it all. He was going to teach her his ways. For whatever it was worth. That what she wanted. And that what he would provide.

She nodded with a soft smile. Hesitantly she pulled him back to her for a slow lazy kiss. She pressed closed mouth kisses against his lips. Adding pressure and lengthening each kiss, drawing them out longer and longer. The sound of their lips making music in the air lingering above them. She was a good kisser, once she got out of her head.

He badly wanted to touch her, but he needed to ask. And he wasn't ready to pull away from her mouth yet, so he clasped his hand behind his back in a military pose. He didn't want to be tempted to touch her, not without permission.

But her hands pulled on his arms, lips not breaking contact. Her tongue lapping at his bottom lip. She pulled his hands free, putting them on her hips. Permission granted.

Derek sighed against her mouth, pulling away only to drip kisses down her throat. And that's when Casey let out a few happy little sighs of her own and lead him towards the bed behind them. Taking the hint he turned them, falling back onto the bed, pulling her down with him. She easily straddled his hips.

They stayed that way for a while. Kissing slowly but with purpose. Derek's hands doing slow laps up and down her body, massaging the flesh underneath the layers of clothes she had on.

"Casey?" He asked pulling away enough to make eye contact.

Her eyes had a glint in them. Her pupils were blown. Like she was high off of kissing him. He groaned, licking his lips before asking. "Clothes?"

She sat back on her knees, pulling her shirt off easily. He stared at the new skin revealed to him. But only for a second because she was quickly flushed back against him.

His hands explored the new skin. His fingers ghosted her spine. He didn't touch the bra, knowing he had to give her time to get used to her shirt being off.

"Off," she commanded, fumbling with the buttons of his white shirt.

Thrilled with her enthusiasm, he was more than willing to comply. He pushed himself up enough to work all his buttons open, pushing the shirt off his body.

And that's when the energy in the room shifted. Case completely froze upon him. He stared at her confused as to what he had done wrong. After all, she was the one who had wanted his shirt off. And then she climbed off of him with haste. Eyes never leaving his body, but her mind was elsewhere.

"Are you kidding me?" She mumbled to herself in frustration. "You actually look like that? I thought that the picture was photoshopped!" she rambled, suddenly pacing the length of the room.

"What?" He asked sitting up on the edge of the bed. He was genuinely confused about what the hell had just happened. Everything was going so well!

"You...you actually look like that. And you're looking at me like I…." She trailed off. He so badly wanted to ask her to finish the sentence. How was he looking at her?

"Jesus, were you the captain of the football team or something?" She asked in a shaky breath.

"Hockey," he corrected with a hint of a smile. He finally understood what was happening. He was used to women appreciating his body and 'pretty face' but this… This was new. Casey continued to surprise him.

Unfortunately, his response only amplified her freak out. "Of course," she mumbled, continuing to pace in front of him. She was quiet for a moment. And all he could hear was her jagged breathing. It was then that he realized what was happening. She was hyperventilating... having a panic attack.

"Hang on," he spoke, looking around the room, hoping to find something that could help. Until it dawned on him. "You should sit," he mumbled. He darted into the bathroom, pulling the fluffy bathrobe that had been hanging on the door. When he returned, he found her sitting on the edge of the bed. "Let's wrap you up." He explained, wrapping her half-naked body in the fluffy warmth.

Once she was wrapped up he turned the light down low, something he should have done the second they walked in. The darkness helped the vulnerability of it all. And he put the air conditioner down low, making the room colder, which should help with her sweating. And water. She needed water. He felt her eyes on him as he ran over the room making all the adjustments for her.

"What are you-" she started.

Finally, content with all the changes he made his way back to bed, looking up at her gently with welcoming arms. "My little sister," he explained, like that answered her unasked question.

She didn't say anything, so she must have understood. Casey, looking calmer, curled up into his arms. He held her.

"Need me to help regulate your breathing?" he asked. Not very sexy, but he knew she needed it.

'No, I think I'm ok," she mumbled, laying her head over his bare chest slowly. Maybe he should put his shirt back on? But then she started drumming her fingers against his chest, matching his heartbeat and synchronizing her breathing accordingly.

He figured she might be embarrassed, as Marti normally was when she was getting over a panic attack. "So, your sister?" she asked, her eyes closed tight. She wanted to act normal, he could tell.

"Yeah. She got separation anxiety when my parents got a divorce. I've been calming her down for years. I know it's different for everyone but..."

"You did better than most people." She complimented him. He felt her smile press against his bare chest. Suddenly he was glad his shirt had been forgotten on the ground somewhere. "My ex would just tell me to calm down. I hate being told to calm down."

He shook his head. His night surely had taken a turn.

"I'm sorry I freaked out. It's just...Guys that look like you don't even look at girls like me."

Now that Derek couldn't believe it. "I don't believe you for a second." he scoffed. "God, who the hell was your ex?" he asks, throwing his head back into the plush pillows. He was bitter. Whoever this guy was he sounded like a dick. It seemed like Casey had been in a toxic relationship.

"His name was Truman." She offered weakly, like that answered everything.

"Truman?" Derek grimaced, testing the name out the name on his tongue, not liking the way it felt. "That's problem number one. Don't date guys named Truman," he explained as if it was the remedy to all of Casey's issues.

She laughed softly, sending waves of vibrations through his chest. She finally opened her eyes again. Even in the dark Derek could tell they were a bit watery but she seemed a lot calmer. "Right. I should date guys named Derek." She countered with spunk behind her words.

"Well no. I might ruin every Derek for you," he teased a little too earnestly.

"Oh, you already have," came her soft whisper.

"Why you think guys like me don't look at you?" He asked, humor in his tone. He had to shift the conversation away from him. He was never a good topic.

"I was a nerd in high school. Debate team. Dance team. Yearbook. Drama. You name it, I was in it. Straight A's with zero social life. That probably had something to do with me falling down a flight of stairs and creating mayhem freshmen year. They called me Klutzilla after that one. Oh and Grade Grubber when I fought for the grades I deserved. Plus I went to an all girls school- very minimal contact with any guys, let alone cute ones. I only had one boyfriend in high school. Max... until we realized I was allergic to him. "

"Allergic?"

"In retrospect, it was probably just his cologne. But yeah. That ended faster then it began. I've always been nonexistent to most guys."

"I would have noticed you," he whispered into the darkness.

She doesn't say anything for a while, but her fingers kept drumming on his chest. "You're really good at your job," she whispered back eventually.

He chuckled. "Must be cause I completely forgot that I was working," he answered, honestly.

"Jesus Christ," She cursed, breathing heavy. "You've hardly touched me, and yet… How are other men supposed to compare after a night with you?" she laughed but sounds genuinely concerned.

"Oh don't worry. I'm not perfect or anything. I'm damaged."

"Damaged?" She asked softly. "Aren't we all."

"I tend to self-sabotage. Mommy issue. Hero complex. Plus who wants to date a guy who works in my field?" He joked, a little too honestly.

"So you don't date?"

"When I find a girl who I can introduce to my little sister… I'll stop doing this. But till then, bills have to get paid somehow." Too much. He had said entirely too much. He had to shift the conversation back to her before he gave away his entire life story.

Casey remained quiet for a while, and he thought he said something wrong. Until he realized her fingers had stopped drumming and she had gone soft against him. She had fallen asleep.

Having Casey fall asleep on his chest was not the worst way to spend the night, he thought. He too had eventually drifted off as well. He woke up first, it was early and he was a little stiff after sleeping in his jeans and all. But she was still knocked out, all warm cute and cuddly. He really didn't have the heart to wake her. He'd leave her a note, he decided.

He wiggled his way out of bed without seeming to disturb her and headed to the bathroom to make himself look presentable to the outside world again. He was toeing on his shoes when he heard her.

"I'm sorry," came her sleepy voice from the bed. She was still covered in a pile of blankets that Derek had cocooned her in, but he saw her in the dimly lit room.

"It's fine," he promised her.

"I can't believe I fell asleep." She mumbled, hiding her face in her hands.

Derek chuckled. She was cute. She was really cute. "Anxiety takes it out of you," he reminded her, finally dressed and ready he made his way around the bed to sit next to her.

"Anyway, I can convince you to try this again? Once more night? Promise I won't fall asleep." She tried to smile but it was more of a wince.

He shook his head sadly at her. Once he walked out that door he was issuing Casey a full refund. After he figured out how to do so. It would be the first time he issued a refund. "Casey you don't need me. Or anyone else. You just need a nice guy who will take his time with you." He tried to reason with her. He understood that she was nervous and had bad experiences in the past. But he also knew she'd find herself a nice guy. Maybe a Sam type...

"Fine," she sighed heavily. "But before I find this nice guy, I will be doing this again." she countered confidently.

"What?" Derek was dumbfounded. What?

"Derek, I am a stubborn woman. I told you I wanted an expert. I also wanted a clean bill of health," she blushed. Of course, she did, the doctor. "So, I'll have to find someone else. Thanks for being my first!" she smiled swinging her legs off the bed. She still wore the robe Derek had helped her into the night before, and the wrinkled pencil skirt that never came off.

He groaned. "Casey...no." He threw his head back. She was frustrating. She was a different brand of frustrating. It was crazy how she went from cute and adorable to pain in his ass in less than a minute, but hey she was complex that one.

"No?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at him as she slipped off the fluffy robe.

No. It was only one word, but the one word packed so much heat behind it. It sounded like a challenge and Derek loved a challenge.

"No." He repeated, matching her heat. "Don't do this again." He very nearly begged her. And Derek doesn't beg. But she stirred something up in him.

"Derek, just cause you won't doesn't mean I can't find someone who will." She argued crossing her arms over her bra clad chest.

She was cheating. Derek took a deep breath and focused on her eyes. "I don't doubt you will Princess. I just… You're a good girl. You're good." He emphasized. "And this is too fucked up. This is not for you." He explained. Having been in his line of work for some time he knew who was and wasn't made for it. And he knew Casey wasn't from the moment he laid eyes on her. But he was selfish and wanted a taste of her.

She tilted her head to the side, a sly smile pulling against the corner of her mouth. "Are you trying to protect my virtue or something? I told you I'm not a virgin, and yes I know we didn't…" she trailed off not even being able to say the words. A blush crept up on her cheeks but she held her ground. "But I promise I'm not some innocent virgin."

Derek closed his eyes tight for a second, pinching the bridge of his nose. He felt all his reserve leaving his body. He turned to look at her again. "Guys are creeps Case," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Ok, ok." He threw his hands up in surrender. "I'll say yes, one more night if you promise me you won't ever do this again." He offered, eyes burning into hers.

She didn't seem to believe his change of heart. But damn it, he couldn't let her do this with anyone else. If she was adamant about it… it would have to be him. "You'd do that?" she asked softer this time. Testing the waters.

"If you promised, really actually promise me. Then ok." He sighed pushing his hands into his pockets. Wow. He was weak. So fucking weak. She broke him faster then Marti could. He thought he had his walls built up high. But this woman… God, who was she?

"I promise," she said softly, and suddenly she was back to cute and adorable, her lip caught between her teeth.

"You're driving me crazy," he sighed, walking over to her.

"It wasn't a far drive," she teased back with a shrug.

Derek couldn't help but chuckle. That was such a dad joke he couldn't believe she had said that.

"You actually laugh at that?" she countered. "That something my dad said."

He shook his head. "Next weekend. Same time, the same place?" He asked, getting down to business.

She nodded.

"Goodbye Casey," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"Bye Der," she mumbled back.

AN: Hope you enjoyed it!