WARNING: this chapter is massively rated M. If you don't like a little smut, please stop reading now! Thank you. :) R & R if you want. It's always welcome.

A soft glow entered the room, awakening him from the best night's sleep he had had in his entire life. The clock read 7:14. Derek groaned deep as he rubbed his eyes and snaked long fingers through his unruly hair. He froze and quieted himself, reality sinking in. Peeking over his bare shoulder, there she was; sound asleep and a small smile forming at the corner of her delectable mouth. Last night came flooding back to him. The kissing, touching, passion, trust,...and something much deeper that either had yet to admit. The blanket rested on her hip, leaving her perfect upper body hungry to his gaze.

Derek took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

Last night was not a mistake and it never would be. But clear thinking during sex was never his forte. He wasn't sure it was any man's strength. Being together would prove impossible. Nobody would understand what he and Casey had. They would think it was wrong despite the fact that they were not related and only met four short years ago.

It was hard to tell what the near future had in store for them. At this point, it may be better for her to go to New York. A little distance apart may do them some good...let their minds clear and reflect on what has happened in such a short time. But she wouldn't be alone. Jesse. She would be spending an entire year with some guy who shared her hobbies, dreams, goals,...and who genuinely cared about her. As much as he tried to hate the guy, he couldn't. It had been a long time since Casey had dated anyone who wasn't a peice of shit, and despite his strong desire to keep them apart, he knew that Jesse was better for her than he was.

Jealousy wasn't an emotion Derek was use to experiencing. The only other girl who ever came remotely close to Casey was Sally, and even then, he had almost forgotten about his ex one week after she left. Somehow, he knew that Casey leaving would scar him and allow him to feel empty.

Derek rose slowly from the bed; dawn his only light as he searched for something to put on. He slipped a pair of shorts over his hips, grabbed a cigarette and the key, and made his way out of the door. He sparked his lighter and inhaled deep, willing the smoke to clear his mind.

The water looked like a lake, waves rippling over the surface until they grazed over his bare feet. Flooded was an understatement. The entire town was two feet under water. It would be days, maybe a week, before they could leave. Seven days in close proximity to Casey. Seven days to get closer and more vulnerable than they already were.

"What the hell am I gonna do?" Derek spoke softly, but out loud. He inhaled once again, letting a long stream of smoke escape slowly. He sat down on the ledge and leaned against the window, closing his eyes again the rising sun.

Casey reached out her hand, her blue eyes still shut. But she kept reaching. She furrowed her brow, never reaching contact with him. Opening her eyes, she sat up quickly, a stab of pain between her legs making her flinch. The last thing she expected after last night was to wake up alone. Where was Derek?

Casey eased out of bed and grabbed the discarded t-shirt that she had had on the night before. There were only so many places to check. The bathroom door was wide open and the light shut off. Obviously he wasn't in there. She walked over to the wide window and pulled back the curtain.

On the other side of the glass, only inches away, was Derek. His head was bent, his eyes closed, and a cigarette hung limp between two fingers. She watched as he brought it to his lips, and a heat rose within her, coloring her cheeks as she thought about those lips and where they had been.

But the look on his face was torturous. It wasn't a feeling of pure bliss that was on her own, but one of torment and regret. Did Derek regret last night? If he did, they were going to have a rough next few day.

Despite her complete focus on Derek, it was impossible to miss the massive flood that covered the ground. If it weren't for the half uncovered cars outside, she would easily guess they were floating on a house boat.

The look on his face made her want to run, but it was something they had to face head on. Casey opened the door, and as she stepped out into the muggy morning air, Derek's dark curls snapped up in surprise. To her astonishment, Derek smiled and gave her a sleek wink before taking one last drag from his cigarette and tossing the lit stick into the water.

"Morning, Case," he said unusually bright. Casey had spent everyday with Derek for years, and she knew reality versus falseness. He was forcing the "good" mood that he was in. His eyes were flashing in different directions like he didn't want her to notice the dilemma that lurked behind his dark seductive eyes. She bit her tongue, willing herself to not say anything. She was hurt and angry that he could regret last night, but he couldn't control his feelings anymore than she could. It was better to not bring attention to it.

"Good morning," she muttered softly while letting the door click quietly behind her. Casey didn't make a move toward him. It was like she was frozen, waiting for him to make the first move like she had last night. To her satisfaction, he patted the space beside him, indicating for her to sit down. She sat down slowly. His left hand reached out and rested on her bare knee. A shot of electricity ignited her body, making her shiver and want more. His touch was amazing, even if it was only a small gesture.

They sat like that for several minutes. Neither spoke or tried to break the thick ice that laid between them. Derek cleared his throat.

"You okay?"

Casey looked at him, noticing that his gaze was in a different direction completely. He may be talking to her, but his lack of full acknowledge left little to be desired.

"Fine," she answered quickly and with irritation apparent in her voice. That got his attention as he finally looked at her.

"You don't sound fine."

"But I am. How could I not be after waking up alone and then you not being able to look at me after last night?"

Dammit, Casey. Can't you ever keep your mouth shut! she silently reprimanded herself.

Derek gave a heavy sigh, but to her surprise, didn't say anything rude or take his hand away. "I know."

Derek rose from the ledge after several more minutes of silence and opened the door. She followed, despite her embarrassment and displeasure with the entire situation. Before the door fully shut behind them, Derek grabbed her by the shirt, turned her around, and kissed her. She clung to him, holding on, afraid of falling from the sheer excitement that coursed through her. To her disappointment, Derek was the first to break the kiss, drawing a disheartened sound from Casey. He chuckled, placing one last kiss to the most sensitive spot on her neck.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up."

Derek apologizing was one of the oddest things Casey had ever experienced, but she welcomed it with open arms. "It's fine. That kiss more than made up for it."

"Come on, baby." He said with a smirk and took her hand in his.

Derek led her into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and waiting until the water was hot enough before looking her up and down. "Do you want me to undress you the entire time were stuck here together?" he asked teasingly.

"You better," Casey smiled.

This brought a low groan from Derek that made Casey feel wanted and desired. Maybe she read his mood wrong only moments before. It didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was that Derek wanted her now. He reached her in two strides, landing a feather light kiss on her lips before pulling back to slip her oversized shirt from her body. He let the white fabric fall to the floor, his hands running over her firm breast, flat stomach, and the curve of her hips. "You're so fucking perfect, Casey," he whispered against her mouth.

"So are you. I've never laid eyes on anything more beautiful."

"Me? Beautiful?"

"Guys can beautiful to ya know," she stated with a bright grin.

"Well, if it's you saying it, I'll take it as a compliment."

"You should," she said more seriously, letting him search her eyes. "You're stunning, Derek."

Before she could say more, another kiss captured her lips, the taste of smoke and his natural sweetness, intoxicating her. He grabbed her from behind, lifting her on tip toes, the erection through his shorts more than noticable. "I want you," she declared, barely audible as the loud shower hammered against the tile.

A heart stopping grin formed on his face as light teasing kisses covered her forehead, lips, and the tip of her nose. Derek stepped back to get a better look, his smile slipping. Suddenly feeling exposed and self conscious, Casey looked down to see what Derek was looking at. Her breast looked fine, her stomach hadn't changed at all, and her legs were still slim and toned. If she did say so herself, she looked hot. What was the matter?

"Derek?" she asked.
"Hmmm?" his head snapped up. "Maybe we should just clean you up and rest for the day." He turned his back to her, and to her shock, actually removed his shorts. He was obviously going to get in the tub with her, so why the sudden change in mood?

"Come on, Case." Derek held out a hand, signaling for her to come closer.

"Derek, what's wrong?" She crossed her slender arms over her generous breasts and waited for an honest answer.

"You don't feel that?" he asked with one raised eyebrow.

"Feel what?"

He sighed. "You're a mess down there," he pointed with a nod of his head.

Casey looked down and noticed for the first time what he saw. Her upper thighs were bruised, streaks of blood were dried against her skin, and his cum was smeared in more places than she cared to admit. Despite the desire to cover herself, Casey walked forward and stepped into the shower, immediately washing herself off. Of course Derek wouldn't desire her when she looked horrendous down there. She grabbed soap and began scrubbing when she noticed the blood refusing to come off.

"Here, Case," Derek said, taking the soap from her and gently rubbing it against her soft sore skin. "You're gonna rub yourself raw doing that," he said with a forced smile. Casey leaned in and kissed his shoulder, letting him clean her up even through the embarrassment she felt. Tears pricked her eyes and she didn't know why.

"Hey," he stilled his movements, forcing her to look at him. "What's the matter?"

His arm snaked around her midsection, flattening her against him in a tight intimate embrace. "I was ready for you and this happens."

"Come on, Spacey. A little rough sex and messy clean up isn't going to keep us apart indefinitely. By tomorrow, I bet you'll be good as new."

"Tomorrow?! I'm ready for you now."

"Don't pout," he said before biting her bottom lip. "I don't want to hurt you more than I already have."

"But it doesn't hurt."

"Right now...as long as you're not being touched."

"Can't we just...try," Casey knew that she was on the verge of begging, but her desire was overtaking her rational way of thinking.

Derek smoothed the hair from her face, rubbing his thumbs against her cheeks. She cocked her head to the side and placed a seering kiss in the palm of his hand. Another sexy groan came from deep within his throat.

He reached down, never taking his eyes from her own, and began to rub her. She closed her eyes, leaning her head against his chest. The feeling was incredible and almost more than she could take. As he slipped one finger inside her, she gasped from the pleasure and discomfort. It was dangerous yet thrilling. When his hand dropped away from her, her heavy eyes began to open in disappointment before he turned against the wall, his front to her back, and placed one of her feet upon the tub. Before she knew what was happening, he entered her from behind, and she nearly fell from the stabbing pain and intense pleasure. She couldn't keep her mouth shut, and was sure that Derek was going to stop. The sound she made indicated obvious tenderness. But he caught her from falling and stayed placed inside her, beginning a rhythm before she was even ready. This side of Derek was frightening but erotic.

He massaged ever part of her cunt as he continued thrusting. A burning sensation began to build up inside her that needed to break free. It couldn't have been more than a minute, but Casey shattered, her legs shaking and giving way beneath her. Derek plastered her tighter against the wall, only his muscles keeping her standing.

"Derek!" she screamed out, needed him to stop so she could adjust herself and breathe.

"Shhhh," he said against her ear as his thrusting continued. "I've got ya, baby," Derek reasured against her lips when she turned her head to look at him. Despite his wild love making, genuine concern and affection was written all over his features as he gazed at her. He seemed to be checking every inch of her body for any signs of serious damage that indicated for him to stop.

Casey braced herself against the way, feeling every delicious movement deep inside her until he filled her up once again. She couldn't imagine not feeling him release himself inside her. It was the most intimate, romantic, and amazing feeling, both emotionally and physically, that she had ever felt.

As he eased out of her, and let her body fall back to earth, she realized that she loved Derek Venturi. She loved how wild and eratic he was. She loved how passionate and romantic he could be. She loved the way he looked at her and the way he touched her body. She loved his voice, scent, cockiness, and just the fact the he was Derek. She loved him more than anyone else, and she realized that she had loved him all along.