Savior

Chapter 13

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"You're making the other women here jealous," Derek said as he wrapped his arms around Cate from behind. She jumped a bit at the touch, but quickly found herself in the comfort she had grown used to.

She fought back a laugh at his words. "Should I apologize to them for having such a sexy boyfriend," she asked jokingly.

Derek chuckled as Cate placed her hand on his forearm, the other holding her glass, and leaned into his chest. "You are too much sometimes, Catie," he kissed her cheek. "But I wouldn't want you any other way."

He had stepped away for a moment to use the restroom, and caught himself watching his girlfriend on the patio of the winery when he walked back outside. She looked so at peace in front of the vineyard. Her phone was tucked away and she had a glass of wine in her hand with a smile on her face.

Cate wore an ivory cold shoulder top tucked into a navy floral maxi skirt, with her hair in a simple pony tail. Her silhouette watching the sun setting on the vineyard caused a bright smile to take over his face and made for the perfect picture. She was truly perfect in his eyes, no matter how much she argued against 'perfection.'

"You knew just what I needed," Cate sighed contently as he tightened his grip around her.

The two shared a delicious meal and then had a chance to tour the vineyard. She never said she knew much about wine, other than what she liked to drink, but seeing everything first hand was exciting to the two of them. Derek preferred whiskey to wine, but would do anything to make his lady happy.

He ushered the brunette towards a set of wicker chairs and couch. "What's on your mind, beautiful?" he asked.

Cate turned her attention from the sunset to the man beside her. "Huh?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

Derek gave her hand a squeeze. "I can tell something is going on up there," he gestured to her head. "You can tell me anything."

She gave a polite smile and held back the sigh she wanted so badly to release. "Last night," she began, and pursed her lips together. "In the five years I've know him, Cole has only gone to one Gala." She licked her suddenly dry lips. "One time. And it was with me."

Cate averted her eyes from Derek's careful watch. She felt so embarrassed bringing her ex up in this location. "And you're trying to figure out why he was there last night."

The brunette nodded. "Okay, profiler," she joked, bringing a smile to his face. "But yeah, that's what I'm wondering." She shook her head, "There's just something nagging me about it."

Derek ran his fingers over her knuckles.

Cate sighed. "I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sorry," she mumbled as she raised her glass to her lips.

The black man shook his head. "I asked," he reminded her. "Bounce it off of me. What didn't feel right?"

She met his eyes, blue searching brown for the answers she wished so hard for. "I had to beg him the one time he actually came. He barely stayed an hour." She bit her lip. "But last night, he sat there, all night long."

Cate shook her head. There was something and she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"I felt like I was being watched all night," she confessed. The smile she put on the evening before was all for show. She felt uncomfortable for a majority of the night, but did not let anyone in on how she felt. "And not just when I was on stage. During dinner, and then again when we went to dance."

The memory caused a smile to take over her face. She could almost feel Derek twirl her across the dance floor in her mind. "Why didn't you say something?"

The brunette shrugged. "I thought I was overreacting," she admitted. "If I said something, it would make it real." She paused and slowly nibbled on her lower lip. "I've heard rumors," Cate placed her glass on the table in front of them, "about Cole's drinking. Even after he did what he did, I didn't want to believe what every one said."

Derek smirked, "you do find the best in every one."

She gave him a tight lipped smile. "I try, at least. That's how I was raised." She turned her head to watch the sunset, unsure of what else to say. "Last night was the first time he said something to me in two years. After my sister talked to him, he decided to move to another branch." Cate chuckled. "I still think my brothers had something to do with it," she mused, mentioning her older twin brothers.

"That's what brothers are for," Derek replied. "I'd kill any one who messed with my sisters."

Cate placed her hand on top of his, her nails slowly raking across his knuckles. "They're lucky to have you," she said, a smile taking over her face as she attempted to change the subject. "Alex followed in my Dad's footsteps and became a police officer. He thinks he's intimidating because of it," the brunette giggled softly. "He's intimidating because he's 6'3" and built well."

Derek grinned. His sisters would describe him the exact same way, but would never mention how he protected them growing up in Chicago.

"We had been in the same buildings," she snapped herself back to the current conversation. "But he had never said a word to me." Cate shook her head. "Now I see it was because he wasn't drunk enough." She scoffed. "I can't help but feel guilty."

The black man took her hand in his, causing her to turn to face him. "You are not responsible for his actions, Cate." She pursed her lips together, letting his words wash over her. "You have been through hell, so do not take what he has done and it turn it against yourself."

Derek slid to the ground in front of his girlfriend and kneeled before her.

"What he does now is his own problem, not yours." He placed a hand to her cheek and smiled when she leaned into his touch. "I will say I am glad he let you go." She blushed and tucked her face away from him. "He has no idea what he is missing."

Cate could have sworn she felt butterflies in her belly every time Derek spoke to her like that. He always knew the perfect thing to say to her.

"But if it makes you feel better, I will have someone look into it for you." She gave a tight lipped smile.

"You don't have to do that," she reassured him. "I'm sure I'm just overreacting. He would never do anything crazy." Derek handed her the glass of wine as he situated himself next to her on the couch.

He ran his hand up and down her thigh. "I don't have to, but I want to." Sincerity dripped from his voice, catching Cate slightly off guard. "You may not think he's capable of doing something crazy, but alcohol can make any body go against what they normally do." She frowned. "I trust your judgment, baby, but I see a lot in my line of work," he reminded the brunette. "And besides, I have a few guys who owe me a few favors."

Cate laughed and placed her head on Derek's shoulder as the sun finally set all the way. He took her hand into his and placed a kiss to her forehead.

"You mean way too much to me to not be cautious." Cate let out a content sigh and nuzzled further into his side.

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