Savior

Chapter 30

-xx-

Derek rubbed a hand up and down Cate's calf as it rested across his lap. She had her back propped against the arm rest, a glass of wine in her hand and a smile on her face. His fingers worked into her legs and feet with ease as she laid her head back.

"This wasn't what I expected when we got home," she mused out loud, and slowly opened her eyes to watch the black man work wonders on her legs.

He smirked. "I'm not mad at you, Cate." She pursed her lips. "A little disappointed that you didn't tell me what you were planning to do, but not mad."

The brunette took a sip of her wine and pondered her words. "I figured his father would be harmless." Her lips suddenly became dry. "I thought maybe I could get through to him." She shrugged. "Someone needs to get Cole help."

Derek nodded in agreement. "Let's hope it works."

Cate shook her head. "I won't hold my breath," she replied. "Cole has never done anything wrong as far as his father is concerned." She rolled her eyes.

His hands slowly worked up to her thighs, stopping at the hem of the shorts she changed into after returning to the apartment. Derek requested that she keep the bralette on under the tank top she wore. He grinned at the quote Does Running Late Count as Exercise? The irony of how hard she worked out in the gym was what made the tank so funny to him.

"But, we can talk about something completely different."

Derek smirked in her direction. "What was up with the text about Aruba earlier?"

Cate smiled. "It's an incentive trip through my office. They have a point chart going on in the office," she said before sipping her wine. "I didn't really read into it yet, but Grace is excited about it. I think it's a good way to keep my mind off all of this bullshit going on."

"I better not have to wait three months to see you pull out that bikini again."

She blushed. "I'll keep that one as a reason to earn this trip." Derek sulked jokingly. "I don't have much use for them right now anyways, unless we get ourselves a place with a pool," she added suggestively.

Derek laughed. "If that's all it takes, baby." She winked in his direction. "Let's add that to the list of must-haves."

"That list grows every day, my love." Derek nodded as Cate placed her empty wine glass on the end table behind her. She leant forward and wrapped an arm around Derek's neck, to pull him close enough to place her lips to his. "I'd live in a cardboard box if it meant being with you."

He chuckled. "Only the best for you, Catie." She smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.

-xx-

"Cate!" The brunette turned to the sound of her name as she entered the office. She shuffled her briefcase on her shoulder and headed in the direction of the voice. "Cate, hi!"

She smiled at the older blonde. "Maura, how are you?"

"I'm good," she offered as she sat up in the chair at her desk. "I took your advice. I signed up for the conference in Dallas this weekend!"

Cate smiled softly. "That's great! It is going do great things for your career, Maura!"

The blonde picked up on the true optimism in Cate's voice. "I hope so. I know you said this was one of your favorite trainings, so the hubby and I are going to take little vacation to Texas and take in the conference."

"You're really going to enjoy it. They take care of those who fly in for it."

Maura reached into her purse that was situated next to her on the ground. "It happened to coincide with the tickets I had for this weekend," she began as she pulled out an envelope. "Roger and I have a membership to the opera house in town, but where I talked him into a weekend away we have tickets to the show that's in town this weekend."

Cate rested against her desk and offered the older woman a smile. "That's one membership I've always wanted," Cate said with a grin.

"I wanted to give them to you," Cate placed a hand to Maura's forearm softly. "You've done so much for me lately, and helped me close that big deal last month. I know you would appreciate these."

Maura handed her a white envelope. Cate opened it to reveal two tickets to the next musical to come to town. "Maura, you don't need to do this."

The older woman waved her off with a smile. "It's the least I can do, and I know you'll put them to good use."

"Thank you," Cate offered. "You know I love my Broadway, so I will definitely be there Saturday night."

Maura smiled. "I'm glad. And I will definitely keep you in mind if any other tickets come up."

The two ended their conversation and Cate headed towards her desk. As she waited for her laptop to boot up, she re-adjusted the picture frames on her desk. There was a homemade frame from Madison that held a photo of Cate, her sister and her niece at Maddy's last birthday party. The second was a framed photo from the Gala of her and Derek.

Cate took a break from her work as her eyes scanned the office. Her office was situated in the back of the building and gave a clear view of everyone inside at the smaller desks. She always kept her door open, letting her team know she was always available if they needed to talk.

She rested her head back against the headrest of her office chair and let out a sigh.

Derek had called her on her way in to the office to let her know they were off to New York for a case. He promised to text her when they landed.

Cate let out a deep breath and told herself to focus on the paperwork on her screen. Aruba was in the back of her mind so she shook all outside thoughts of her mind and started typing.

Within an hour, it was as if her office phone had been glued to her ear. "Mike, just let me know what they want to do so we can finalize this sale."

She nodded as the man on the other end responded. "That sounds good. Let me run that by my clients and I will be in touch shortly."

Cate rolled her eyes as the other realtor kept talking. "Mhmm, I think they'll be on board with that." Her cell phone lit up on the desk.

"Catherine, did you hear me?"

She inwardly groaned. "I've got it, Mike. I can't make decisions without running it by my clients." The brunette rolled her eyes once more. "Sorry but I have another call coming in. I'll call your office later."

She finally disconnected the call and grabbed her cell phone.

Landed. I'll call you later when we hit the hotel.

She grinned and typed back her own response. Stay safe, my love.

Cate finalized her notes for her lunch meeting with her clients when her phone lit up again.

You're my forever girl. xo

-xx-