Chapter 23

AN: Thanks so much for the reviews...I'm glad you liked my spicy little chapter! LOL...You know me; I can't leave well enough alone...Here comes a touch of angst...Just a touch...

The next morning, Penelope was awake first, which was not a normal occurrence. Derek was a morning person, chipper and happy, whereas she needed a few cups of coffee to get moving. This was such an oddity, Derek sleeping in, she had to take advantage. She shifted slightly so she could watch him better.

He was sleeping on his tummy, one arm wrapped around his pillow, the other around her. He was holding both of them like he dared someone to take them. She could feel his hairy leg under hers; she must've crossed her leg over his in sleep. He was making little, deep breathing noises, like he was on the verge of a snore, and his lips were open just a bit.

She watched him for awhile longer until nature called on the emergency line and she had to get up. She moved up on her pillow, and his arm fell limply to her waist. She shifted, watching his face for signs of life. She didn't want to wake him. He frowned and pouted for a second, and then relaxed again with a slight sigh.

Sensing that the coast was clear, she slipped out from under his arm, reached for her nightie that was strewn on the floor last night, and shrugged it on. Padding into her bathroom, she took care of some morning business, and then headed towards the kitchen to make coffee. After pouring herself a cup, she put her steaming mug on the appropriately named coffee table and reached for her computer. Opening a file next to her, she sat on the couch, crossing her legs under herself, and opened her laptop.

Entering the totals from the last shows she had, she was very pleased to see that she topped sales for the week. Technically, she didn't have to do any more shows. Cara would be back next week, and she exceeded the limit that Cara had set for her.

She smiled, glad she didn't have to do any more work, then clicked her calendar...and immediately frowned.

7pm Show Langley, Keira (703)555-4105. Fourth show.

"Ugh," she grumbled, pouting.

"What's an ugh?" Derek asked, coming up behind her, coffee in hand. He was in only his boxer shorts, and he still looked adorably sleep rumpled. He kissed the top of her head as he stood behind her.

She tipped her head back and smiled up at him. "Good morning."

"Morning, sweetheart." He wandered over and took a seat on the other corner of the couch, giving her space to work. "What's the ugh?"

Sighing, she said, "I have one more show to do, and I really don't want to do it."

"Then don't," he said plainly, taking another sip of his coffee.

"I could," she pondered, a finger on her chin. "I made plenty of money, so I don't need to do it..."

"I sense a but," he said, arching a brow at her.

"Mmm hmm," she said. "This is a frequent client of Cara's; she's on show number four. I don't want to lose a frequent customer of hers."

He sighed. "I see where you have a problem." He paused, tapping his chin, his brow creased in concentration. Then he snapped his fingers and grinned. "I know. We'll do it together. A farewell to the business party."

She smiled. "That's sweet, angel, but you don't have to-"

"I want to," he said, that big, beaming grin never ceasing. "One last hurrah...and we can tell them how all the products worked for us.."

He was wiggling his brows at her so outlandishly, she had to laugh. "You are an idiot sometimes, Derek Morgan."

"I'd say I'm pretty smart," he said, standing up again. He walked over and gave her a smacking kiss on the lips. "I have you, don't I?"

He winked and headed into the kitchen, probably in search of food. The man was an endless pit when it came to eating.

"That you do," she murmured to herself, her heart singing like it always did when he was around.

"No, no, my dear little crumpet," she said, drawling over the speaking phone to Mick Rawson from the Red Cell team. She was working from home the rest of the day, which was nice, considering Derek had the day off. When the team was out for long periods of time, they had rest days. However, she didn't get them, because she didn't have to travel. "There are three hundred fifty addresses to check, not fifty. It's going to take me awhile longer."

"Well, sweetheart, hurry up. I haven't got all day."

"I'm trying, Mick," she said, filtering through the names on her screen.

"Thanks, love. I'm counting on you." And then he hung up.

"Tell him he'll have all the time in the world from his hospital bed if he calls you sweetheart again," Derek grumbled, flicking open his paper and turning to the business section.

Penelope stifled a laugh at her jealous little angelfish. "Stop that. He's just a flirt."

"I don't like him."

"You wouldn't," she said with a smile. "He's a lot like you."

"Me?" Derek squeaked in outrage, his expression thunderous, before he looked back at his paper. "He is nothing like me, sugar. I'm suave and resourceful, and he's not. He's ridiculous, that..that..."

"Handsome flirt?" she suggested, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"English ass," he added with a snarl, now glaring at his paper.

"He has an adorably cute accent.." she drawled.

"He does not! He.."

He looked up into her smiling face and knew he was being baited.

Snapping his paper open, he sighed, and then said, "The price of corn is up this year..."

She giggled, and then returned to her search through the data base.

After she finished her work, they made fajitas together, and then Derek went to his home to his place to dress for the show. Penelope slid on her sexy heels and a colorful dress that showed off her curves to the best advantage. She put her hair up, slicked on some lipstick, and drove to Derek's place.

Arriving at his home, she parked Esther, headed up to his door, and then let herself in.

"D! I'm here," she called, sliding her shoes off.

"Come on up," she heard from the vicinity of the bedroom.

She walked up the small flight of stairs to the second level of his house and made her way to his bedroom. The light from his adjoining bathroom was on.

He was standing in front of the bathroom mirror shaving. He had a rather heavy five o'clock shadow because he hadn't shaved that morning at her place. He smiled at her in the mirror when he saw her, and then turned and gave her a kiss.

"Ooh!" she cried, wiping at her face. "You got shaving cream on my nose!"

He grinned and continued shaving. "Worth it, right?"

"Yes," she said, hugging him from behind.

"Woman...you are not making this easy," he growled, looking at her in the mirror with his darkening eyes. "You make me want to forgo this shaving business."

"No, go ahead and shave," she said with a sigh and a pout. "We only have fifteen minutes anyway..."

He paused with his razor again. "I know a very good way to spend fifteen minutes."

"What about your motto: take it slow, make it last all night?" she teased, arching her brow.

He gave her a seductive smile, and then turned to face her. "There's a time and a place for everything, sweetheart."

"Derek," she said, and caught her breath as she saw the smoky look in his eyes. "We...we..."

"I've been remiss in my lessons." He looked back in the mirror, paused for a second, and wiped the cream from his face. "You need to learn the art of the quickie."

"I do know—OH!"

Before she could say another word, he picked her up and jogged with her into his bedroom.

Arriving at the Langley house for the show, they were five minutes late. However, Penelope couldn't complain. Her body was singing, Derek was smiling, and they were both very happy. She didn't even bother to chastise him; it was an excellent way to spend fifteen minutes! Now she was hurrying, and she was a little nervous because of it.

"Do you have the order forms?"

"Yep."

"Do you have the bag?" she asked him, as she reached for the briefcase.

"One bag full of sex toys," he drawled, pausing for a second as if he were pondering the contents. "Check."

She grinned and shook her head, and then rang the doorbell.

The stunning woman whom Penelope assumed was her hostess opened the door. "Hi, there."

Penelope stretched her hand out to the woman. "Hi, Ms. Langley? I'm Penelope."

The woman completely ignored her hand and brushed past Penelope. Her eyes widened in surprise, as she gasped, "Derek?"

"Hi, Keira."