A.N: first off I have to apologize for the sparse updates on all my stories. It seems my muse has taken off for a while and forgot to tell me, but really work has been a bear and tiring and not left much room for a lot of things. So I hope you will forgive me and know that no story will go unfinished. For now thank you to everyone who added to favorites, alerts and reviewed it means a lot and now on with the show.
Disclaimer: I own nothing which really is a shame.
Chapter five
Love me back to life
Why now, two words in the English language that would've forever haunted him if things didn't go as planned. A simple question really, but then he'd had years to profess what his heart had knew all along but refused to make a move on. Instead he let another take his right full position in her life and said man broke the heart of the woman whom meant more to him then his next breath and there were only a few people who held that honor.
He knew his silence spoke volumes but he didn't have the words to tell her what he wanted her to know. He'd never been one for grand displays of heart felt emotions. Anger he could vent and demonstrate so very well. Happiness another emotion he was good at and could display without difficulty. Yet what was deep down in his heart he couldn't seem to pry loose with a crowbar or chisel. Maybe it had something to do with his past and how he held everything bottled up the truth and his demons, kept them locked up about as tight as the bullion in Fort Knox.
"Derek," Penelope began taking his larger hand in hers. "If this is some experiment an itch you have to scratch or a curiosity that you want validated please leave me out. I can't take another broken heart."
He could see the tears pooling in her eyes and a piece of his heart rendered from the whole. Setting down his own bottle Derek cupped both sides of her beloved face brushing away a single tear.
"I'm not good at this Penelope," he began truthfully. "I've never been in a situation like this in my life, but once, and to be honest it scares the living shit out of me cause this moment could make or break me."
"Handsome you're not making much sense," Penelope said placing a hand over his.
"But I have a whole lot of change," he replied trying to lighten the mood but saw that it didn't work. Taking a deep breath he let the words out, "I'm in love with you silly girl."
Penelope grasped shaking her head feeling his callused palms brushing against her skin. "No…" she breathed afraid to capture the brass ring dangling in front of her face.
"No," he copied though his tone was more of shock and hurt than disbelief. "Strait up baby girl do you mean that you don't like me?"
"No," she restated watching his face and hands fall his walls going up around his heart protecting himself. He went to move away from her, but she grabbed his hand tugging him back into place a questioning look lighting his eyes. "Silly man," Penelope said shaking her head. "Do you really think I don't love you?"
"You just…" he trailed off when she placed a single finger to his lips.
"I know what I said my chocolate gum drop the words did come from my mouth after all. But the real question is do you know what you said?"
He thought about it a second watching the slow smile spread across her face realization dawning in his mind.
"I don't just like you Derek Morgan I love you with everything in me," she answered finally smoothing the frown lines on his forehead.
Breathing a sigh of relief he leaned in to capture her lips but found his way blocked by the hand on his chest. Raising a questioning eyebrow and looking down at the hand then back up for clarification.
Again she asked, "Why now?"
Groaning deeply Derek tried to wrestle his thoughts together to form some kind of response for her incessant question.
Seeing the turmoil in his features, Penelope started to explain, "It's not that I don't trust you handsome I do and with my life. But a broken heart is something I don't wish to repeat any time soon once was more than enough in my life time."
"I would never…"
"Don't finish that sentence sexy cause you can't promise something like that. There is no money back guarantee or repair policy that can fix something so life changing."
He nodded yet wouldn't give up not when there was hope still left. "Would you take a chance on me beautiful? Take a chance on our love and friendship that it would show us the way."
"It's hard to say," Penelope answered seeing his face fall once again. "Would this relationship offer hours of ravishing and roses with chocolates and you making good on all your promises?"
He grinned stupidly this time stealing a quick kiss from her smiling lips. "Every single one that I've promised over the years and I'll leave nothing out."
Penelope giggled but sobered once again and Derek knew what was coming and he cut her off at the pass.
"This didn't happen overnight baby girl I've loved you for a long time. At first it wasn't the type of love that a man would feel for a woman, but something changed over the years. You," he grasped the sides of her face again brushing his thumb over her parted lips. "You grew on me stronger than I would have ever imagined. But I couldn't do anything, couldn't cross that line and change things between us."
"And now you can take that chance?"
"Now I can jump in with both feet and not care if I drown. You mean too much to me and I can't let you go a second time."
"Second time?" she questioned a puzzled expression on her face.
"I knew after you were shot that my heart had changed that it belonged to you. It wasn't about friendship anymore for me but Lynch came into the picture and I stepped back," he paused a second collecting his thoughts. "After Alaska I wanted to tell you then that things had changed a long time ago, but I saw how happy you were with him that I couldn't bring myself to mess up a good thing."
"You silly, silly man," Penelope exclaimed shaking her head. "Alaska was the turning point for me I couldn't see spending the rest of my life with someone I didn't fully love and who didn't trust me enough to sleep in the same room as my uber fine best friend. Not when there was someone else who I loved but always thought wouldn't take that chance."
"I'm taking it now baby girl are you ready?"
She grinned impishly, "You sure I'm talking about you stud? You're a little over confident cause you know I may be talking about Reid."
He clutched his chest dramatically, "Tell me it's not true?" he asked fighting to keep the grin off his face. "How you wound me sweetness."
"You'll live handsome of that I'm sure."
"Only with you by my side," Derek stated seriously sobering up and nailing her with a penetrating stare.
Penelope swallowed shocked, yet giddy at the prospect of all her dreams coming true. "You sure you can handle me hot stuff?"
"I think I can manage just perfectly baby girl. In fact," he paused leaning in close brushing a piece of red hair back behind her ear fingers ghosting over her skin. "In fact I'm ready to start now."
"Really," she breathed voice stuttering out because of the delicious sensations Derek created inside her body.
"Yes really," he whispered laying soft kisses to the side of her neck feeling her shiver. "You cold Goddess?" he asked fighting the grin that would give him a way.
"No, not in the least bit lover boy, in fact I'm all hot and bothered," she answered pulling back just a bit to stare up into his darken chocolate eyes. "We have a nice cottage waiting for us I say we take advantage of the time we have."
Derek chuckled, "Impatient baby girl?"
"Damn strait my melting hunk of chocolate. I've waited to damn long for this to pass it up."
"Well," he said bragging out the word a bit as he pulled her back into his arms. "You're gonna have to wait just a little bit longer love I've got plans for you."
"Oh do ya now? You have designs on little old me?"
"Absolutely so many that it's going to make your pretty head spin."
"Do tell."
He shook his head, "Nope it's a surprise."
"Oh poo," she pouted sticking out her bottom lips.
"Now baby girl be good or I'll have to spank that cute little ass of yours."
"Promise?" she asked eyes lighting with mischief.
"You can lay money on it."
"Then I won't be good. In fact," she purred smoothing a hand down his shirt covered torso stopping at the top of his jeans. "I think I'll be very naughty."
"Woman," he warned on a growl. "My control is on thin ice right now you're pushing it."
"Pushing it really now," she said ghosting a hand lower over the prominent bulge in his jeans. "Let me see just how far I can push you."
He grabbed her hand before she could do anything farther damage to his control. "Later for now we eat."
"Fine," she acquiesced begrudgingly. "What else did you bring in your magical basket of goodies?"
"Dessert."
"Does it have anything to do with chocolate?"
"Maybe," was the only answer he would give her while motioning towards her forgotten plate. "You better eat up to find out," he teased.
For the next half hour they sat enjoying the sun, lunch and each other. With short caresses and lingering looks saying more than words could ever. Finally after most of their meal was polished off Derek reached back inside the basket and pulled a larger white container from the depths.
"Ooo what'd bring me hot stuff?" Penelope asked childishly giddy.
Slowly, teasingly he opened the lid to reveal a large wedge of chocolate chip cheesecake.
"For you my lady the best," he answered grabbing a fork and cutting a big bite off then offering it up to her mouth.
Sensually she opened parted her lips tongue sticking out just a bit as Derek placed the cool creamy sweet in her mouth. Eyes closing in bliss as she let the delicate flavors roll around her mouth, then languidly raising her eye lids just a fraction watching Derek watch her. Slowly teasingly she darted tongue out licking away any last bits hearing him intake a sharp breath.
Eyes popping open fully she grinned at him. "Humm you should really try some handsome you'll love it," she stated reaching for the extra fork, digging a large piece out and presenting it to him.
"You know I'm not big on sweets mama."
"Your sweet on me sugar daddy, so come on open up you'll love it," she corralled gently waving the dainty morsel in front of his mouth. "It's heavenly hot stuff just like you."
Giving in to her he opened his mouth letting her place the cheesecake and finding to his great surprise that she was right after all. "It's pretty good."
"Pretty good you lie," she admonished slapping his shoulder. "That's like saying you're only pretty good in bed. Which of course I have no knowledge of yet but will be rating you against this wonderful slice of heaven."
"Not fair mama," he teased. "Let me try another piece maybe you'll change my mind."
She shook her head grabbing the plastic container and holding it close to her chest. "Na uh sugar pop you don't like, you don't get another try."
"Come on baby girl give your man another bite please," he begged flashing her, his best puppy dog eyes and pouting lip.
"Won't work handsome you get nothing."
"You sure?" he asked leaning in close brushing her soft locks from her right shoulder.
"Yes," she stuttered out fighting her body's reaction to his proximity and touch.
"Stake your life on that answer woman?"
"Yes," Penelope answered again looking away from her life size piece of chocolate to the chocolate chip speckled cheesecake clutched tight. A devilish grin spreading across her lips as she asked, "You want another bite my Adonis?"
"Humm," he replied with a shake of his head inching closer to her.
"Then you'll have to come get it," she returned digging another piece out and quickly devouring it.
With a predator gleam in his eye, Derek stalked forward on his hands and knees face coming within inches of hers. A pearly white grin sliding across his lips. "I love a challenge sexy mama," he whispered taking the dish from her now limp grasp as the other hand came up to cup the back of her head.
"Do you?" she asked around a mouth full of cake.
All he did was nod before capturing her sweet lips in a heat filled kiss, tongue darting passed her lips to grab a touch of her unique sweetness and the cheesecake. Groaning deeply Derek tried to stop himself not wanting to make a public display but the simple taste and feel of her snapped the rest of his precious control. Slowly he pushed her back to lay on the blanket hovering his body over hers as his lips took totally possession.
Penelope never felt anything as heavenly nor tasted anything as decadent as Derek Morgan's mouth pressed against hers. His hard body ghosting closer towards hers, she gave up pretense and wrapped her arms around his neck rising up to give back just as good as she was getting. Devouring his lips, nibbling first the bottom then the top before dueling erotically with his smooth sweet tasting tongue, while her hands never idle on a key broad stroked over the hard planes and muscles of his back eliciting a pleasurable moan from both their lips.
Air became an issue, but didn't stop Derek from tracing a slow trail of open mouth kisses down her neck. Stopping to suck and bite at her quickening pulse point.
"Damn those lips of yours," she groaned feeling wetness pooling between her tights, her skin tingling pleasurably. "Should be register as lethal weapons or a euphoric inducing drug."
He chuckled against her collarbone. "You complainin' baby girl?"
"Hells no hot stuff now get back to work mama needs her sugar."
However instead of doing as she asked he pulled back looking down into her passion glazed eyes. "Your right."
She gave him a puzzled look. "About what?"
"Best damn cheesecake I've ever had," he grinned this time sitting up and bringing his woman with him.
She giggled, "Told ya," but then she frowned playfully. "Why'd you stop?"
"Because my Goddess deserves so much better than a quick roll in the grass in public, besides I have other plans for you. Remember?"
"I seem to recall a few promises you made me," she answered grabbing her plate to help clean up.
He gave her a cocky half smile. "It's time I make good on them all don't you think?"
"Oh I do think," she laughed smacking his ass when he turned his back on her.
"Woman," he growled un-ceremonially dropping their plates into the wicker basket then turning around quickly catching her trying to stand while giggles erupted from her throat.
Grabbing her wrist and with a gentle tug pulling her back down, but this time she landed straddling his waist with him on his back.
"Tsk, tsk look what you've done now gorgeous," Penelope chided humorously trying to hide the smile that threaten to spill over her face.
"I think I've finally got you where I want you beautiful," he stated resting his hands on her hips.
A full blown grin broke out of her face. "Oh I think you may have that the other way around you sexy beast. It is I who have you right where I want you," she grinned leaning her body down over his and wiggling her hips feeling the growing bulge press against the damp gust of her underwear.
"Penelope," he groaned halting her movement.
"Humm yes my sweet bon bon?" she asked impishly resting one hand on either side of his head, her breasts smashed against the hard wall of his chest.
"Unless you want to give all these nice people a free show I suggest you move your cute ass."
"But handsome there is no one around," she reminded him rubbing her body slowly across his.
He groaned deeply the sound reverberating through his body and into hers. He could feel the lush swells of her breasts and gentle curve of her hips, his hands itched to run through her hair and keep her by his side of the rest of his life, but right then wasn't the perfect time not when he had everything planned.
"Plans," he reminded her rolling them both so that she was under him while running his large hands up her sides grasping her questing wicked hands in his and bringing them above her head.
"I know," she acquiesced with a pout. "Don't like it but all right."
"Trust me baby girl you're going to love this," Derek said rising up to his knees pulling her along.
He couldn't help himself though when he leaned in and captured her kiss swollen lips with his in a deep soul touching kiss that left them both aching for more.
DPDPDPDPDPDPDP
"But hot stuff why won't you tell me where we're going," Penelope whined playfully, yet still followed him out their cottage door.
"Surprise," was all he tossed over his shoulder while stopped just outside the door turning to watch her lock up a grin sliding across his features.
Penelope turned, "What's got you all smiley my chocolate truffle?"
"Close your beautiful eyes sweetness," he commanded gently blocking her view of the parking lot.
"Why?" she asked skeptically raising an eyebrow.
"Come on baby girl just humor me."
"All right but this better be good," she stated closing her eyes feeling Derek brush past her and stand extremely close she could smell the manly scent of his body and feel the heat.
Placing his hands on her shoulders and guiding her slowly forward while saying, "It's something you've always wanted to do, but never have gotten the nerve to do it."
"Oh making love to you on the beach under the stars now that would be fabulous and sexy, sweet cheeks."
"Behave woman and not yet," he answered coming to a stop just at the edge of the grass. "Now open your eyes princess," he whispered into her ear.