Thanks for reading and reviewing! This chapter brings our favorite couple together again...

Chapter Three: To Know Me is To Love Me

The next afternoon, Meredith took her chair at the poker table, looking around idly. She adjusted her glasses, and pulled her hair away from her face. She recognized most of the group, nodding at them casually. Then she locked eyes across the table with the same intense blue gaze that had raked over her the night before. A little shiver rippled along her spine unexpectedly, and she blinked, looking away quickly. But something about the man belonging to those eyes dragged her attention back to him. Something primal and hot - and she found herself unable to keep from looking at him. He gave her a little wicked grin of acknowledgement, as if he was mocking her, or as if he was so accustomed to women falling under his spell that he was just ready to take advantage of her.

"Ms. Grey…are you ready?" the dealer asked, and she jumped a little.

"Sorry, absolutely…let's get started."

Meredith berated herself for being so obviously caught up in the man. Her mouth set into a determined line – it would be so much fun to beat him. He looked arrogant and cocksure, just the type of man she loved to bring down a notch or two. Still, she had to admit, he had the looks to go along with the arrogance – thick, black hair, that was just unruly enough to evoke images of rumpled beds; an expressive face, with a hint of stubble along his jaw, accentuating the pure masculine look of him; and those eyes – deep, indigo eyes that seemed to darken as they met hers again. His dark rich red shirt seemed to have been tailored just for him; it hugged his lean torso, the color suiting him perfectly.

An involuntary little quiver of erotic desire fluttered in her core, as she contemplated the cards in her hands. He looked like he could be amazingly good in bed, the kind of man who would take his time and give you a mind blowing orgasm - lick you up one side and down the other, and do it all over again.

Resolutely she shut out that mental image. It wouldn't do to get lost in the sexual fantasies he brought to mind. Not if she intended to win, and she intended to do just that.

Focus, Meredith…focus…

Derek nodded in the direction of the blonde across the table, acknowledging her not so subtle perusal. So she was Meredith Grey, he should have realized that last night when she bumped into him. But then, he had been focused on other things besides her face. Petite and delicate as she appeared, he was well aware of her reputation. She was tenacious, intent on winning, willing to play up her physical charms if she thought it would help.

And he had to admit - her physical charms were certainly eye catching. He didn't usually go for blondes, but something about her wide green eyes, soft masses of hair and lips that looked made for kissing, made him shift in his chair. The black dress today was low cut, giving distracting glimpses of her creamy skin. She looked like she would be all dangerous curves and damp, enticing heat, tangled up in the sheets. An unbidden image of the dress she'd been wearing, or almost notwearing, the night before, danced through his thoughts, adding to his discomfort.

The dealer shuffled the cards, and dealt the first hand. Derek shook his head to clear away the fog of erotic haze that threatened to ruin his concentration. He intended to win this game, and put Meredith Grey out of his mind. Besides, he had heard other players mentioning her girlfriend, the crazy one…the one she had been dancing with? Still…were the rumors true? Or just that…rumors?

Looking across the table, keeping his expression cool, he watched her for a moment as she made her opening move. It could be interesting to find out the truth about her…

At the end of the night, neither one of them came out as the winner in this round. They both conceded defeat to one of the other players, but they were still in the running for the next day. Meredith was still chiding herself for getting distracted by the man across the table. Every time she had glanced his way, his confident smirk rattled her, and the sight of his long fingers handling the poker chips made her wonder what it would feel like to have those hands on her. She made mistakes that she usually didn't make, and she was glad it was finally over and she could escape for a much-needed drink.

Pushing away from the table, she turned without looking and bumped into someone. "Oh…sorry.." she murmured, lifting her head up. "You…" she hissed, staring into those mesmerizing eyes, as he gripped her elbow once again to keep her from falling over from their sudden contact.

Derek grinned devilishly, letting go of her. "You seem to have developed a habit of running into me. We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Derek Shepherd."

Meredith nodded, trying to collect her scattered thoughts, finally sticking her hand out to take his. "Meredith Grey…" The shock of his hand enclosing hers made her blink, and sudden heat raced through her veins. Damn him, she thought distractedly, he was way too handsome for his own good. And he obviously knew all the smooth moves to use to his advantage. Well, he wasn't going to get her into bed – she wasn't going to be just one more conquest for him.

"Your reputation precedes you," he murmured, as she pulled her hand free."You're a good player."

Meredith frowned. "Not tonight."

"Everyone can have a bad night."

"Not me…not my style."

"Pretty sure of yourself aren't you?"

They locked eyes again, his cool amusement raising her defenses. Meredith swung her purse over her arm, and started to walk away. "I know what I want, yes…and I want to win."

"So do I," he commented, following her, admiring the way her ass moved under the fitted black dress.

"Then we have a problem, don't we?" she asked sweetly, stopping to look at him again. Her blonde hair swung freely over her shoulders, releasing a soft scent that tickled his nostrils. "Next time I won't be so easy on you."

"Easy on me?" he smirked again, arching one eyebrow.

"Yes…you were lucky tonight, I wasn't on my game, but it won't happen again," Meredith stated. "Now, excuse me, I'm late to meet a friend for a drink." She could see Cristina waiting for her at the bar, watching the exchange with interest.

"Are you sure I can't buy you a drink? Get to know you…"

"Why would I want to know you?" Meredith started walking again, hoping he would take the hint and leave her alone.

"To know me is to love me…" Derek said smoothly, easily keeping pace with her.

"Oh please…" Meredith rolled her eyes, stopping yet again. "Does that line really work?"

"You'd be surprised." He winked at her, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, go try your luck with somebody else. I'm not interested. My girlfriend is waiting for me, and she's really jealous…so good night, Mr. Shepherd," she said firmly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of giving in. Resolutely, she tossed her hair, and walked away, before he could say anything else.

"Good night, Ms. Grey," he called out, a hint of laughter in his voice again, his gaze wandering along her trim body, following the slender legs enhanced by stiletto pumps. He was intrigued by her, though he couldn't understand why.

"And stop looking at my ass…" she replied without looking back, in a fuck-you tone of voice, making him laugh out loud.

"Who was that?" Cristina asked, as Meredith gratefully downed the shot of tequila waiting for her. "And why aren't you taking him to bed? He looks like he would be good…"

Meredith shook her head vehemently. "Arrogant ass…not my type…"

"Oh, since when?" Cristina asked, her voice sarcastic. "I seem to recall a certain other arrogant ass that you enjoyed fucking…you said he gave the best screaming org-…"

"Cristina…" Meredith said warningly. "Leave Alex out of this. That's ancient history."

Cristina shrugged. "Whatever…you're just cranky cuz you lost tonight, and you need to get laid." She looked back at Derek, who was now sitting casually at a small table, nursing a glass of Scotch, his long legs stretched out. "Hell, if I wasn't gay, I'd fuck him…"

"Be my guest," Meredith sighed, signaling for another shot. "I'm drinking…"

"Not as good as fucking…"

"Tequila won't disappoint me like men have a tendency to."

"True," Cristina nodded. "Or leave wet spots on the sheets…"

"…or hog all the covers…."

"…or have performance anxiety…"

"You could switch to women," Cristina smirked.

"Cristina…" Meredith groaned. "You're not helping any. I just want to drink and not think about Derek Shepherd…"

"All right, drink…still not as good as fucking…"

Meredith put her head down on the bar and groaned.

Derek glanced over at the two women, wondering exactly what was going on with them. His thoughts were interrupted by Delinda Deline, who spotted him from across the room. The tall, statuesque blonde made her way over to him, enveloping him in a cloud of perfume as she leaned down to kiss him. "Derek Shepherd…Danny said you were in town…" Her low cut halter dress gave him an eyeful of her cleavage before she stood up again. What was it with these women and their dresses lately, he wondered lazily. Delinda was the daughter of Ed Deline, the former manager of the Montecito. Tall, leggy, spoiled...she loved to have a good time, and they had shared some of those good times in bed, but she was dating Danny McCoy now.

"Delinda…you look wonderful…" Derek murmured. "How is Danny? I haven't seen him yet."

"Oh, he's great. But ever since Daddy left, he's been so busy, I hardly even see him some days." She plopped down into the chair opposite Derek, crossing her long legs, and bumping him suggestively with her foot. "Maybe you could keep me company tonight…"

Derek shook his head. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

Delinda pouted. "Aw, you're no fun. I thought you liked me…"

"I do – we had a good time once, but you're Danny's girl now, and I don't mess around with a friend's lady. Especially when that friend is a former Marine," Derek grinned at her. His eyes strayed over to Meredith again, wondering why she had her head down against the bar. Delinda caught his look and twisted around to see the object of his attention.

"You know Meredith?" she asked.

"We've bumped into each other."

"Huh…well you know she's a lesbian, don't you? She's always here with Cristina Yang – you know…the fashion photographer. The one that does all those kinky ads with the hint of girl on girl sex…" Delinda settled back in her chair, happy to pass along this bit of gossip to him.

Derek's eyebrow arched. "Really?"

Delinda crossed her arms under her chest, bringing her breasts higher, as she smiled at her former lover. "Seriously, Derek…she's not your type…."

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