A.N: Late a trend I seem to be having lately I hope it doesn't away soon. But other than that thank you to everyone who added, alerted and added to favorites you guys make my day and now on with the show.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter four

All about loving you

The smell of salt water in the air, warm sand under her feet and a cool breeze blowing her hair yup heaven with one exception of course, but Penelope tried not to dwell on that tiny miss step. Instead she looked forward to her short stay to unwind and relax hoping to forget all about her job and ex.

For a short time she stood there absorbing the beautiful scenery, the waves crashing to shore, surfers out catching waves and families setting up umbrellas and picnics enjoying the time they had together. A pang of longing tore through her body at the sight, yet she suspected she'd be alone for the rest of her life. Regardless of what Derek may have said she just didn't see how it could work out. Some called it jaded Penelope just figured she knew what was best for her.

Taking a deep cleansing breath she pushed those thoughts aside for another time one when all this beauty wasn't around her.

"It's a shame that a beautiful woman is all alone," a deep voice called from behind her. "I wonder if she'd like some company."

Not wanting to get her hopes up Penelope stayed rooted in her spot afraid that she'd heard things after all he couldn't have known where she was. Right?

"What no hello baby girl?" Derek asked wrapping his strong arms around her waist from behind.

"Derek?" she asked longingly trying to slow her heart rate at his intimate touch hoping he was truly real and not a produce of her over active imagination.

"Humm the one and only sweetness," he breathed against her ear feeling her shiver in his arms as his whiskered cheek scraped seductively against her tender flesh.

"How did you…"

He laughed a deep rich sound that vibrated through his body and into hers spreading the chills over her skin that had nothing to do with the temperature. "I have my ways Goddess. Besides I couldn't leave you all by yourself for three days without me."

"Didn't you have something or someone better to do?" the question was out before she could stop her and felt Derek stiffen behind her. At that moment she wished the earth would open out and swallow her whole. She hadn't meant for the words to come out so bitter and harsh instead of the teasing she'd been going for.

Slowly he forced her to face him and when she wouldn't look up at him, he gently took her chin in his hand and raised the somber face towards his eyes. "You listen and listen good hard head there is no place I'd rather be then here with you. Yes maybe Chicago but there's not enough time for that trip. You," and he leaned in to brushing his lips over her cheek and placing them at her ear when he finished his words. "You are the only woman I want to be with. Are we clear on that?"

She nodded tears burning the back of her eyes as she watched him pull back. Penelope studied him trying to see if he was telling her the truth. She so wanted it to be true that he'd want her and only her but she wasn't about to delude herself into thinking he would even after all the sweet hot kisses he'd given her not even twenty four hours earlier.

"Not good enough Penelope I want to hear you say it," he said watching her eyes cloud with doubt.

"Why now?" she simply asked instead needing her own clarification.

"All in good time sweetheart, but for now just know that from this moment on I'm all in, unless you don't want that," he paused this time searching her eyes for any sign that she didn't want him. Upon finding nothing he cupped her face in his hands brushing his lips slowly teasingly over hers making her whimper softly and wrap her own arms around his neck. "Lunch?"

Lost in the lust induced haze he surrounded her with Penelope's brain didn't register his words till a chuckle sounding in her ear as he pushed her hair back from the shoulder and placed light butterfly kisses along the smooth column.

"Did… you say something?" she stammered raising her eyes up wards catching the teasing light shining in his dark chocolate orbs.

"Have you eaten yet?" he asked burying his face into the crook of her neck breathing in her scent sending chills cascading down her body once again.

Regaining herself Penelope decided to have a little fun as she used her finger nails to scrape at the exposed flesh of his neck while whispering in his ear. "I could eat. In fact I think I'll take a nibble of my chocolate stick right now."

Bearing her teeth she leaned in grazing the taunt slightly salty skin feeling him shiver under her administrations a smug satisfied smirk gracing her lips as she pulled back. The imp in her barely satisfied by the simple touch, but the more reserved side pulled back a bit afraid of getting her heart broken again.

It was his turn to try and gather his wits about him. Trying to play it smooth he grinned at Penelope even while on the inside he wanted nothing more than to pick her up and rush back to their cottage and ravish her till Sunday night when they had to go home.

"Evil little vixen," he admonished playfully tapping her nose lightly before dropping the hand and capturing hers intertwining their fingers before bringing the combination to his lips placing a soft short kiss.

Keeping their eyes locked the whole time trying to convey his meaning with one deep soulful look. Twisting around, her hand still firmly enclosed within his larger callused palm he started back towards the cottage.

"You know it handsome and you wouldn't want me any other way," she shot back feeling him tug her forward. "Where are you takin' me lover?"

A bit gun shy of his plans she tried to pull her hand free from his grasp but found the action a lesson in futility for he just keep his grip firm yet gentle while bringing her along beside him.

"Cottage," was all he provided winking at her.

Hoping that she'd love the surprise he had ready for the both of them and thankful he knew what her favorites were after being friends for so long. Nothing to outlandish that would come later just something simple knowing that she hadn't had anything sense that morning.

"Hot stuff not that I'm complaining but…" her voice trailer off as they entered her modest one bedroom bungalow.

Sitting on the bar were a large wicker basket and a beach towel resting on top putting her in front of his body letting her catch a glimpse of the mystery while standing behind her sweeping her fiery locks from her shoulder.

"Something special for my special lady," Derek answered against her ear from behind enjoying the shiver that ran down her body.

She turned to face him, a slight impatient look in her eyes. "But Derek I'm not dressed…" he placed a finger over her lips cutting off her words.

"None sense woman you're dressed just perfectly," Derek stated as his eyes roamed her body heat flaring to life in those dark brown orbs. "Besides we're not going that far in fact within walking distance."

Teasingly she opened her mouth and encircled the digit still pressed against her lips drawing the single finger into the warmth of her mouth, tongue swirling around the tip before she gently bit down. Take pleasure in the fact that he had to shift his stance as a deep growl reverberated through the nearly silence room his eyes almost black with passion and lust.

"Woman," he growled when she release his finger.

"Yes my love?" Penelope asked innocently once again the imp in her was coming to the surface. Figuring to just run with the feelings coursing through her body loving the attention Derek was bestowing upon her. She just hoped her heart would come out intact once they went back to work on Monday that their behavior wouldn't change in the least bit. Then again she hoped it would just only for the better.

"Evil, evil woman," he answered carding his fingers into her red locks ghosting his lips across hers softly teasingly.

Penelope made a noise of impatience in the back of her throat wanting to feel those wonderful lips against her again. "Don't torment me, my Adonis."

"Not planning to baby girl," Derek said giving in and placing his lips upon hers.

Sensually he ran the tip of his tongue across the seem of her lips seeking entrance into the warm cavern of her mouth. One hand cupping the back of her neck the other gliding down her back wrapping around her waist and pulling her body flush against his.

Never one to let the man do all the work Penelope wrapped her own arms around his neck blunt nails scrapping taunt skin. One hand wandering down the tight coiled muscles of his back feeling them jump under her administration. Abandonment ran through her veins as she slide her body erotically against his as their tongues dueled for dominance, teeth scrapping, lips devouring as hands searched for the hidden places to invoke deep moans.

Only pulling back to gasp much needed air Derek rested his forehead against hers chills breaking out over his body every where she touched. "Damn baby girl what you do to me," he said reaching around to halt the hand on his back bringing the soft palm to his lips. "These hands," he murmured reverently placing a kiss to each digit while keeping his eyes once again firmly locked with hers.

Breath hitched in her throat as desire tore through her body at the simplest sweetest gesture. "You sure know how to seduce a woman with your beguiling sexy ways."

"Sugar you haven't seen anything yet and I'm just getting warmed up beautiful," he answered placing his lips against the pulse of her wrist tongue flicking out to have a taste of her skin.

"Really?" she questioned a touch breathless as she watched him trail a path of kisses up her arm stopping at her shoulder one last lingering kiss then moved across her collarbone and up the smooth skin of her throat a trail of fire heating her skin with each touch.

"Goddess," he exhaled slowly against her ear breathing in her flowery scent committing the very essence to memory wanting so much more, needing so much more. "You ready for lunch?"

She giggled against his neck nuzzling his flesh glazing her lips slowly over his skin enjoying the musky earthy since that filled her nose. "Famished in fact," she answered nibbling a path along the corded muscles of his neck feeling the pulse race and jump under her lips.

"Then maybe we should go," he offered yet didn't pull away didn't make the attempt to push her away. No in fact he wrapped his arms back around her waist yanking her even closer molding their bodies together.

"Sweet cheeks I don't think we're going to be getting anywhere unless we detach."

"True," he agreed but still kept her body encompassed with his arms. Raising his head to stare into her eyes he cupped the right side of her face in his hands running his thumb over her lips. Watching as she closed her eyes in bliss, murmuring lowly, "You ready to go?"

"Humm," she breathed out languidly opening her eyes her voice dropping an octave, "only if you promise to be gentle my chocolate pop."

He shook his head a grin spreading across his lips, "Silly girl I'll be very gentle," he answered grasping her right hand and turned away to walk towards the bar. He could hear the impertinent noise Penelope made even though she let him tug her along keeping her hand firmly enclosed in his while carrying the basket, and blanket in the other.

"You sure about going out I mean we could always stay in," Penelope suggested playfully stopping for a brief second to don her flip flops.

"All in good time my beauty," Derek replied as the exited the front door.

A short distance away lay a small park Derek had seen on the drive to the cottage thinking how perfect the setting would be for their first date. Though he didn't tell Penelope that just yet instead he put the basket down and began to spread out the fluffy dark blue blanket.

"My lady," he said taking her hand and leading her to the center and helping her down.

Sitting the basket down then taking a seat next to her, before opening the top and pulling a large covered container from within.

"Handsome did you bring me fried chicken?" she asked sweetly batting her lashes at him.

He chuckled knowing her so well, "You got it Goddess Mama Helen's fried chicken in fact from Crossing diner, our special place," Derek answered pulling the top off, picking a piece and holding it up to her mouth.

She looked at him, the chicken then back again before taking a big bite moaning at the taste. "Almost better than sex."

"Bite your tongue woman," he admonished playfully handing her the half eaten piece and working on getting the rest of their lunch out.

Potato salad, green beans and rolls saving dessert for last but pulling two bottles of Sam Adams © Summer ale out and handing her one.

"You over did yourself handsome," Penelope said taking the cold bottle from him watching as he plated up her food.

"Can't have our first date going wrong now can I?" he answered hearing the sharp intake of breath from Penelope.

"Derek?"

"Yes baby girl," he answered turning to face her a big smile on his handsome face.

"First date?" she squeaked out needing clarification.

"Yup and what better a place then here? You, me the sand and surf yellow polka dotted bikini," he answered waggling his eye brow at her.

She laughed, "Oh hot stuff you can forget about the bikini this body doesn't do skimpy very well."

"Good you'd look better naked to begin with."

"You sure?"

He gave her a heated once over, "Damn sure my fine honey. Naked and spread out on my bed spending hours getting to know every curve and mound of that beautiful body of yours," he answered a satisfied grin crossing his lips as a sound of appreciation leaving his mouth.

"The prospects are endless my love, but one question," Penelope said putting her bottle and plate down growing serious. Derek nodded and she continued, "Why now?"