So, this chapter turned out to be an uber update - I can't always promise to have them this long - just depends on my time! It's hard to believe, too, that this is Chapter 4 and there hasn't been any hot sex yet...I think that's a record for my stories LOL.

I was going to say, don't hate Delinda too much - I see her as a spoiled, Daddy's girl, who is accustomed to having her own way, and says whatever is in her mind, without thinking of the consequences. And is Derek really going to listen to her? He he...

Chapter 4 – Giving in to Temptation?

The next morning, Meredith dragged herself to the pool, hiding her bloodshot eyes behind huge wraparound sunglasses. She'd spent a sleepless night, tossing and turning, haunted by the image of Derek's face. The huge king size bed had seemed impossibly empty, as she clutched at the pillows.

"Well, you look like shit," Cristina observed cheerfully, dropping into the lounge chair beside Meredith. As she rubbed suntan lotion into her skin, she grinned at her friend. "Late night?" Her eyebrows went up suggestively. The two of them had parted ways last night after a few more shots – Cristina in pursuit of a tall redhead that had winked at her.

"No….." Meredith groaned. "I just couldn't sleep – I should've got up and gone down to play a game, or slots… I finally got up at six, and went to the gym, but even running on the treadmill didn't help clear my head."

"Thinking about Shepherd?"

"What's wrong with me? I've met dozens of attractive, hot, guys – and still managed to beat their asses. This isn't like me…." Meredith moaned.

"Mer, listen…just fuck'im and get it out of your system. You obviously want the guy – so do him. It's just gonna ruin your game otherwise."

"He does have that dangerous quality that gets to me," Meredith admitted.

"And he's super hot…and he looks damn good. I mean, that mouth of his is just…divine…"

"Cris…you don't even like guys…"

"Doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good specimen when I see one," Cristina retorted dryly. "I'm a photographer…I see the male form differently…and he's got a good one." She settled back into the lounge chair, and closed her eyes.

Meredith giggled. "Sounds like he should be spread-eagled and mounted to a corkboard….specimen…!" She laughed again, feeling a bit better.

"Spread-eagled is good…" Cristina countered without opening her eyes.

"Now that sounds like one of your photo shoots," Meredith commented, taking a drink of water.

"Hell yeah…"

Meredith adjusted her microscopic bikini top, before swinging her legs over the side of the chair. "I'm going for a swim – you coming?'"

"No, I just got here – I need my sun first."

"Fine. I'll be back." Meredith got up and headed for the pool, tossing her hair back. As if unaware of the admiring looks she was getting, she sauntered lazily, and paused at the edge, making sure the area was clear before she made a quick little dive into the cool water. She swam briefly, enjoying the feel of the water against her warm skin, before she surfaced. Heavenly….she thought…raking her wet hair away from her eyes. The water churned and she was suddenly caught by a pair of strong, masculine hands, and she found herself looking up into Derek's face.

"Shit…" she muttered. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Good morning, Miss Grey. Bumping into me again, are you?"

"I was swimming…you were nowhere near me…" she protested, suddenly very aware that he was still holding her arms, and they were standing very very close together. Meredith gulped, her attention focused on his mouth – damn Cristina anyway, mentioning that…. Noting the sensual curve of his bottom lip as he smiled lazily at her, his blue eyes intent on hers.

"But here you are," he murmured, "so you must have bumped into me." His voice was low and caressing, much too intimate for 10 o'clock on a hot Vegas morning, in a pool surrounded by a lot of other people. His dark hair was slicked back, emphasizing his cheekbones, the morning stubble along his jaw making him look almost sinful. Her eyes drifted lower, along his muscular chest, the dark mat of hair that just begged her gaze to follow it lower, lower…

"God, Cristina was sooo right…" Meredith whispered. The water hid the rest of his body, but what she could see of it right now was enough to send her fantasies into overdrive.

"What?"

Meredith blushed, actually blushed, something she likely hadn't done since she'd been sixteen. "Did I say that out loud?" she giggled.

Derek grinned in response to her infectious laughter. "I believe so." He was very aware himself of her proximity, the tiny scraps of fabric that passed for her bikini just barely covering her breasts. Tiny beads of water rolled down her lightly tanned skin, and he had a sudden urge to put his tongue there and lick them up, following the beads lower, between her breasts.

"Mr. Shepherd?"

"Call me Derek, for god's sake…" he growled, trying to push away the lust that surged through his body. He better not get out of the pool anytime soon, or it would be very obvious that his cock was ready for some action of its own.

"Derek...? Are you all right? You look a little flushed…"

"I'm fine. But you look a little tired yourself…late night?" he smirked, noting the smudges beneath her soft green eyes. Eyes that seemed to be pulling him in, making him hot in ways that had nothing to do with the sun beating down on them.

"Ha! Like I'm going to tell you," Meredith replied tartly. "Maybe I like to have a little fun while I'm here. It's Vegas after all."

"Can't hurt your game any more than it already is…" he commented, wondering if she had been having long, hot sex with Cristina…or was that just a front? There certainly seemed to be some kind of attraction happening here - he knew women, he knew their responses. And she was responding to him.

"Oh!" Meredith sucked in her breath. "You just wait until later, Derek, I'll prove you so wrong…"

"I can hardly wait." The challenge in his voice was enough to make Meredith remember just why she was determined to beat him, and she started to move away from him. The water swirled around them, as she turned to go.

"Wait…Meredith…" he called out, making her look over her shoulder. "Look, I think we've gotten off on the wrong foot. Can we have lunch? Or something?"

Meredith sighed. "I don't know…I've got plans…" She didn't really, she just didn't know if she trusted herself to be alone with him. Her body was sending her messages that she couldn't ignore, the throb in her clit pulsing with every beat of her heart.

"Please…?" he asked, tilting his head, and giving her a devastating smile.

"Um…maybe another time?" Meredith found herself saying.

"All right," he agreed,

"All right," she repeated. "Well, I'm going to go…I have things to do…"

"Yes, I'm sure you do. I'll see you at the match later. Good luck."

"You too…" she murmured, falling into the water and swimming away furiously.

"And who was that delectable creature?" Mark asked, as Derek pulled himself out of the pool, grabbing the towel Mark offered.

"That was Meredith Grey."

"Oh…she's one of the players, right…" Mark played a little poker, not on the same level as Derek, but he knew a lot of the players. His job as a security specialist kept him too busy to play regularly, but he'd made time in his schedule to be here. Ostensibly to keep Derek company, but really, he couldn't resist the lure of the women that were everywhere. "Very nice, Derek. Have you and she…?"

"Not yet, but it won't be long," Derek grinned. No way that woman was a lesbian, he told himself. Just not possible…

Meredith grabbed her towel, and her bag, looking over at Cristina. "I've had enough – I'm going in. I think I need some pampering for the rest of the day."

Cristina waved airily. "Go…I'm getting my pampering right here. Catch you later, honey…"

Shaking her head, Meredith headed back inside, determined to keep any mental images of a dripping wet Derek Shepherd firmly locked away. After she swam away from him, she was still a little dazed. Turning him down had taken a lot of willpower…seriously, what harm could lunch be? Ha…she knew damn well what that would lead to…a long afternoon of lazy, bone melting sex…and that would be bad how…? Her thoughts warred back and forth as she walked quickly inside.

"Sam…can I get into the spa today?" she asked, spotting Sam in the lobby. "I need to indulge in some pampering."

"Absolutely, Meredith. Just give me a sec here…" Sam whipped the cell phone open, and punched in a few numbers. "You do look a little tired, Meredith. I think some spa time is just what you need…" Sam was looking at Meredith, alternating between talking to her, and booking a time on the cell phone.

"Um…sure…thanks…." Meredith murmured. Geez, did she really look that bad? The sexy Derek Shepherd must be desperate if he was interested in her. Or was he just automatically putting the moves on her, like every other woman that crossed his path? He seemed like the type unable to stop flirting, no matter what.

'Oh…god, sorry…Meredith you look great.." Sam hurried to say, noting the alarmed look Meredith gave her. "The spa can squeeze you in at noon –okay?"

"Thanks, Sam…"

"My pleasure…now, I have to run. I have ten guys coming in from London who want to have a party with the Pussycat Dolls…" Sam rolled her eyes, and before Meredith could open her mouth, Sam was off, cell phone at her ear again.

After a long, lovely afternoon in the spa, Meredith felt rejuvenated, ready to play her game, her way. Wearing her favorite little black dress by Givenchy, her hair freshly trimmed and styled, she felt miles away from the stressed out person she had been that morning. Derek was just another hot guy, she thought, she can handle him. She strolled across the lobby, heading for the poker room determined to push all those erotic images of him into a corner of her mind, and shut it away. He could find someone else to work his charm on, for all she cared.

She stopped short, spotting him then, deep in conversation with Delinda, a few steps away from the poker room. Meredith knew Delinda in passing – enough to know the girl was horribly spoiled, and prone to say whatever was on her mind, without stopping to think. Watching for a moment, as Derek seemed to be entirely focused on whatever Delinda was telling him. She had her hand on his arm, her other hand reaching up to brush his cheek. Huh…well, Derek can have his fun with her if he wanted to, Meredith thought, determined to pass by without acknowledging him. But a sharp little stab of jealousy made her catch her breath – what the fuck? Jealousy? No way….

Derek's head turned just as she went by, and they made eye contact, his appreciative gaze wandering from her face, and across her body. He murmured something to Delinda, and broke away from her, coming to take Meredith's elbow. "Meredith…are you ready to play?"

Aware the other woman was shooting daggers into her back, Meredith straightened a little more. "Always," she assured him sweetly, tying to ignore the rush of heat that went through at the mere touch of his fingers on her elbow.

After this round of play, Meredith and Derek were among the final four heading into the playoff round the next night. She pushed away from the table thankfully, picking up her purse, and making sure that she wasn't about to run into Derek as she turned around. But he was no where in sight, and she told herself she wasn't really looking for him, as she headed towards the lounge. Cristina was out tonight, having had a call to scout out locations for the next photo shoot in Vegas, and Meredith was at loose ends. Drink…or go to bed and try to make up for the sleepless night? Deciding suddenly to just head up to bed, she turned too quickly, and the heel of her shoe gave out, and she dropped down to her knee with a little cry of surprise.

"Falling for me now, are you?" Derek asked, appearing in front of her. He dropped down in front of her, and took her hand. "Drastic measures aren't that necessary, Meredith…."

"You….arrogant…" Meredith started to say, trying to stand up at the same time, wobbling on one shoe. Damn, that was her favorite pair of Jimmy Choo sandals, too. "Why do you always show up out of nowhere?" she grumbled, finally accepting his arm to keep her balance.

"It's a gift," he grinned. "Can you walk?"

"My ankle feels a little sore," she admitted, and without warning, Derek scooped her up, unmindful of the amused looks the crowd around them was giving them.

"Here, let me take you up to your room…" he offered, smoothly heading towards the bank of elevators.

"But…"

The doors closed silently, enclosing them in the small space. Meredith resigned herself to the inevitable, looping her arms around his neck. She told him the floor number, and the elevator whooshed upwards. The silence between them seemed to hum with sexual hunger, as she looked up at his profile. She was surrounded by the scent of his aftershave, and the slight acrid hint of cigar smoke that clung to him from the player at the table who'd insisted on smoking.

"Good game tonight…" Meredith said quietly, searching for something to break the quiet.

"Very." He turned his head, and their eyes met.

"Very…" Meredith repeated, getting lost in the deep blue gaze that mesmerized her. "You were good…"

"Oh, you haven't seen my best yet, honey," he replied silkily, as the doors hissed open on her floor.

"Just can't stop yourself, can you?" Meredith giggled, fishing for her keycard as he carried her along the plush carpet. Derek took it from her at the door, and let her down slowly. She winced a little as she put her weight on her foot. "You think you're so damn hot, don't you…" she said softly, leaning against the doorframe, as he slid the card along the lock.

"I'm just sexy, baby…what can I say?"

""Oh…god…" Meredith giggled, as he helped her inside. "It never ends with you…"

"It's just part of my natural charm," he agreed, arching one eyebrow. "Now, here, sit…" Derek guided her towards the sofa, and she sank into the deep cushions thankfully. Being so close to him, feeling the heat of his body through her dress was almost enough to make any woman surrender. But then he took her ankle and massaged it carefully, and she had to bite her lip to keep from whimpering. His hands felt warm and sure, probing for any swelling. Small ripples of desire seemed to emanate from her ankel and run right up to her core. "It doesn't look too bad, I don't think it's sprained," he murmured, intent on rubbing her tiny ankle. Resisting the urge to slide his hands along her calf, he finally sat back.

"Drink?" he asked, springing to his feet, and heading towards the bar.

"Make yourself at home…" she murmured, watching him cross the room easily. The Versace suit he wore still looked impeccable, even at this late hour, and he moved with such easy grace, such controlled sensuality, it just wasn't fair. He turned, and loosened his tie, undoing a few buttons his shirt, as he waited for her answer.

"Tequila, please…"

Derek nodded, and pulled out the glasses, dropping ice into his. As he poured the drinks, his eyes were drawn to the way her dress caressed her curves, the low neckline just scooped enough to show off the round creamy breasts. Sitting there, curled on the sofa, she looked tinier and more fragile than when she was playing to win.

He walked back, and handed over her glass, and sipped his own thoughtfully, the ice chinking in the cut crystal glass. "What…?" she asked suspiciously. "You look like you're imagining me naked…"

Derek dropped down onto the sofa beside her. "Oh, but I am…" he replied, winking. "Of course, that bikini this morning didn't leave much to the imagination…but I still do my best on the other parts…" He leaned a little closer to her, so close he could smell the perfume on her skin, and see the little flecks of gold in her iris. His eyes dipped lower, seeing the clear outline of her nipples against the silky dress.

"Are you sure that's worthwhile?"

"You underestimate yourself…" he murmured, "I find you very fascinating." His mouth lowered, hovering just above hers, their breath mingling. Meredith tensed, anticipating his kiss, her body tingling, but her brain kicked into gear and she moved back.

"No…this is crazy, I don't date guys I'm playing. It makes it complicated," she whispered, her heart beating like a mad drum. She tossed back the tequila in one quick swallow, letting the alcohol burn down her throat.

Derek laughed, putting his glass down on the coffee table. He crossed his arms, with a wolfish grin on his lips. "Who said anything about dating…this can be just pure, hot fucking, sweetheart. You can handle that, can't you?" His expression was a mixture of desire and amused indulgence, his damn blue eyes hot on her.

"I can keep my sex life and my professional life separate," she assured him, with a toss of her hair.

Derek moved closer again, bracing his hands on the sofa on either side of her.. "But then…I did hear that you preferred women, so maybe the rumors are true. Is that what your reluctance is about?"

Meredith threw her head back and laughed, unable to help herself. "Oh…I see, you flatter yourself then, thinking the only reason I won't fuck you is because I'm gay? Believe me, I'm not. Cristina is a good friend – she's my person, not my lover…"

"So, there's nothing stopping us then…two adults enjoying each other's company, and bodies…" Derek shifted his position, bringing her closer again. He traced her lip with his thumb, before catching the back of her head with his other hand. His mouth descended on hers, searing and demanding, until she was breathless and moaning. His hand moved along her upper body, searching for the curves that had been tantalizing him. He kissed the hollow of her throat where the pulse jumped crazily under his lips, and licked the fragrant skin that was exposed along the cleavage of her dress.

Meredith moaned involuntarily, and slipped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer. Maybe he was right, she thought fleetingly, there was nothing wrong with this…he was here and he felt so damn good next to her.

Derek caught her mouth again, and this time her lips parted eagerly. His tongue was warm and wet, sliding along the length of hers, suddenly making her weak, and turning her inside out from wanting him. The kiss was hot and deep, sending primal waves of desire through her body. His hand tangled in her hair, the kiss turning even more intense and bruising. All other conscious thought fled, and Meredith gave herself over to the pure erotic thrill of it. "Take me to bed, Derek…" she breathed into his mouth.

We could be perfect strangers, let's spend tonight
We can be perfect strangers
Thank you for spending one night with me…

Lyrics from "Perfect Strangers" by INXS