Savior

Chapter 27

-xx-

Cate stretched out in the bed, causing the sheet that covered her naked body to slip away from her. She arched her back off of the mattress and let out a satisfied sigh as she sank back into the bed.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open, as she caught Derek's gaze from the other side of the suite. He had just walked back into the bedroom from taking a shower.

Cate nibbled on her bottom lip at the location of his towel. "Don't you dare," he warned jokingly as he felt her eyes on his waist.

The brunette sat up in bed, wrapping the sheet around her body as she did so. She just grinned in Derek's direction. "I don't even have the energy for round," she drifted off, remembering the previous night. "Five, or six?" she asked with a laugh.

The smirk on Derek's face gave her the answer she needed. It was the first time in her life she had ever slept naked, but when Derek wrapped his arms around her and mentioned how perfectly she fit against him, she felt comfortable in her own skin. And quite frankly, she was too tired to get up from the bed to get dressed.

"Breakfast should be here in a few minutes," his voice broke her out of her reverie. "And then we can probably squeeze some beach time in before we head home."

Cate beamed. "I like that plan." She stood from the bed and pulled the sheet off to fully wrap herself in it.

Derek laughed as she fought with the white sheet to cover herself up. As she stepped closer to him, he grinned and ran his hands up and down her arms. "You don't have to hide that body from me." Blush rose in her cheeks and the heat rising in her body caused her to look away from him. "I love every inch of you, Catie," he said as he kissed her forehead. He let the brunette step out of his hold. "I think I showed you just how much I love it last night."

Her cheeks flushed at the reminder. It was as if just his words brought her body back to life. Cate giggled and escaped through the open bedroom door into the bathroom.

As she closed the door behind her, Cate stared at her reflection in the mirror. She noticed a new confidence in herself, and knew it wasn't just from the glow of her tan.

She dropped the sheet and glanced over her reflection. As her fingers traced the scar on the stomach, she realized that it was something she was always going to have, and she was going to have to accept it sooner or later.

Cate grabbed the bag she had hung on the back of the bathroom door the day before. Derek had been distracted on his cell phone when she went to check out at the surf shop, and did not see Cate add to the clothing she had in her hands.

-xx-

"C'mon baby, breakfast is here," she heard Derek call out from the living space.

She took one last deep breath before opening the bathroom door. Cate tugged on the sides of the cover up she wore over the new bathing suit.

Cate strode into the living room taking in the scent of the breakfast foods. "I ordered a little bit of everything," Derek said as he situated the cart of food, all while he had his back to her.

The brunette turned around the couch and walked to meet Derek at the small table as he set out the food. Cate wrapped her arms around him from behind, causing his to stand up straight.

He turned in her hold and smiled down at her. Derek held back at arm's length taking in her outfit. "Well look at you, miss thing."

Cate grinned as his hands reached for the tie on her cover up. She did not realize the intake of air when he gently tugged on the strings. The fabric slowly opened, giving Derek a full view of the first bikini she wore in over three years.

Derek let out a low whistle as he spun her around. "God, you're beautiful," he said as a smile broke across his face.

The fuchsia and black two-piece fit her perfectly. It boasted a high neck, but the chest area was held together by strings that showed just enough of her breasts. The criss-cross pattern in the back proudly displayed her tattoo as well.

Derek ran his hands over her sides, making sure to not make a big deal of her scars. The confidence radiating from her was enough to make Derek want to lock the hotel room doors and stay inside with her for the day.

"How did you sneak that in?" he asked with a chuckle.

Cate shrugged. "I didn't actually expect to wear it," she began as she began to close the cover up back up. "But I couldn't pass it up when we stopped yesterday."

The black man licked his lips and shook his head. "You look beautiful."

Cate smiled at the compliment. She reached for the carafe of coffee on the breakfast cart. "There's something about you, Mr. Morgan," she said as she poured a steaming cup. "Something that makes me feel so good about myself."

He grinned. "I'm just doing my job, baby." He pecked her on the cheek before sitting down to eat.

"However," she began, "I don't know if I can wear this," she tugged on the strap of the bikini, "when you order all of this." Cate grabbed a piece of bacon from his plate. "It's just not fair."

Derek chuckled. "You didn't get enough of a work out last night?" The gleam in his eye could have easily brought her to her knees four months ago. Now she felt comfortable enough to flirt back with her boyfriend.

"Touche," she replied. Cate took the seat next to Derek at the breakfast table. She stretched in her seat and laid her legs across Derek's lap as she sipped on her coffee. "We needed this," she said with a content sigh.

Derek pursed his lips. "I like having you all to myself." His reply brought a smile to her face. "I'm not sure if you can tell, but I don't share well with others."

Cate giggled. "If you play your cards right, you won't ever have to share me."

"I'm playing the best hand I've got, Catie." The sincerity in his gaze brought a comfortable silence over the room. "I'd bet it all for you."

Cate placed her hand on top of his and gave it a squeeze. "It's a good thing you're a good poker player."

He winked in her direction. He watched her sip at her coffee and gaze out the window at the water. Derek turned to face her and placed a hand to her cheek. "Me and you, baby." Cate turned back to him and grinned. He motioned to the food on the table. "Now eat up so you have your energy for when we get home tonight."

The smirk he offered knotted her stomach.

-xx-

Derek gazed over in the passenger seat to see Cate sleeping against the door. She had one of Derek's sweatshirts rolled up as a mock pillow to keep her comfortable.

He nonchalantly flicked through radio stations on the radio to fight staying awake as he drove through the darkness. They spent a good portion of the afternoon at the beach and then had dinner before starting the drive home.

They lost track of time while relaxing at the beach but Derek would spend the day if it meant seeing her in that bikini even longer. She seemed comfortable in her own skin and it made it easier for Derek to take in the body he loved.

His cell phone rang from the center console. "Penelope?" he answered quickly.

"Derek, my sweet," replied the bubbly voice from the other end of the phone.

He shook his head as he adjusted to driving with one hand on the wheel and one on the phone by his ear. "What's going on? Its late."

"Right, I'm sorry!" He could hear Garcia fumbling around with something on the other end. "But you know how I keep an alert set up for the bad guys?"

Derek furrowed his brow as he switched lanes on the highway. "I do," he replied roughly. "What's up?"

He could hear typing in the background of the call. "Whenever anyone threatens our family, I add them to the list. I don't like anyone trying to get the upper hand on my family."

"Garcia, is there a point?"

She huffed into the phone. "Yes, sorry. Definitely have a point." She paused. "I added Cole Hanson to that list."

The words caused Derek to grip the steering wheel tighter. "And?"

"Um," she began, stuttering with the words.

Derek glanced at Cate next to him. His voice caused her to shift in her sleep. "Pen, what is going on?"

"Cole Hanson purchased a gun tonight."

-xx-