Dereck got off the phone with Xander, who had left work early to check on Greer anyway. He'd been pissed at Dereck for not mentioning the connection to his injury and a serial killer, but Dereck knew he'd get over it. Especially since Xander said he'd call Dereck later to talk about everything.
Which worked out, since Dereck had plans at the moment.
He climbed the stairs and tried the bathroom door. The knob twisted, and he pushed the door open, surprised Jill hadn't locked it.
Dereck stepped into the humid room and could make out the shape of Jill through the clouded glass of the shower.
He shed his clothes, watching the peach of her skin move inside. When he stood naked outside the shower, he called, "Want some company?"
Jill opened the door and poked her head out. Her blue-eyed gaze traveled from his toes back up to the top of his head.
"Seems like you're banking on me saying yes."
Dereck grinned sheepishly. "A guy can hope."
A wide smile spread across her face and she crooked her finger at him.
Dereck stepped inside the shower, a sharp blast of hot water pounding his back as he took Jill into his arms. She twined her hands behind his neck and gazed up at him, her dark hair slicked back.
"You know, I didn't expect you to be like this," she said.
"Like what?"
"Spontaneous. Attentive." Her fingers tickled the hair at the back of his neck. "I used to imagine us having sex, and although most of the fantasies were super hot, I'd have this one that seemed fairly realistic."
Dereck was sure he was setting himself up, but he couldn't contain his curiosity. "How is that?"
"We'd be going at it and then you'd start telling me the only position you liked was missionary."
He laughed, pinching her rear. "You thought I was that boring?"
"No. I had a feeling you'd be amazing in bed. Why do you think I flirted with you all the time?"
"I thought you did that with everyone," he teased.
"Are you calling me a slut?" She smacked his shoulder lightly.
"No. I'm calling you a flirt."
"I was being friendly."
He bent his head to nip at her collarbone. "If you don't mind, I'd prefer if you curbed your friendliness."
Her hands rubbed along the muscles of his arms, moving to his shoulders. "Are you jealous, Dare?"
"Don't call me that," he said harshly.
He saw the flash of hurt in her eyes. "Why? I've heard your family use it."
"It's a joke."
"What do you mean?"
He groaned, wishing more than anything to get off the subject. "They call me Dare because they think I don't take chances. That I’m a choir boy."
"Really?" she drawled, pressing her body flush against his. "If only they knew what I know."
"And what's that?"
"That underneath uptight Mr. Perfect is a wild, hot man who turns my insides volcanic with a touch."
Dereck's cock stiffened as she rubbed against him, and his hands drifted down to cup her ass.
"I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
"I'd believe that."
He laughed. "Ouch."
She kissed his chest, her tongue darting out to catch a droplet of water from his skin. "Do you think we could stow the witty banter for a bit? Cause I am dying to find out what makeup sex with you feels like."
Dereck didn't mention makeup sex was usually something couples did, not when her hand was suddenly holding his dick.
He tangled his hand in her hair and kissed her, delving into her mouth with his tongue as her hand slid up his length and down again. She pumped him with fast, even strokes, her other hand cupping his balls. Dereck's hips were soon jerking in rhythm with her caresses, his breath rushing out in heavy groans.
Jill slipped to her knees and he let go of her hair, placing his palms on the wall of the shower. She opened her warm mouth over his head, flicking her tongue underneath. She sucked him all the while she fondled his sack, and his body moved involuntarily.
Dereck knew he was going to lose control soon, and pulled out of her mouth. The pop of her lips coming off his dick almost did him in, and he moaned.
"Get up, baby."
He didn't wait for her to move but lifted her up by her underarms. He pressed her against the side of the shower. She linked her legs around his waist and he took his cock in his hand, rubbing it against her seam. Her mouth opened as a small sigh escaped, and her thick lashes fluttered rapidly until her eyes closed. She tilted her head back, biting her bottom lip with those even white teeth.
"Fuck, Jilly, the things you do to me."
She stopped biting her lip and opened her eyes. Her mouth curved up in the corners, the blue depths of her irises filled with something warm and loving.
"I know the feeling."
Dereck pushed the head of his erection into her, her channel tight around him. With his thumb between them, he found her clit and stroked the bundle of nerves with firm circles. Her breathing hitched and she relaxed around him. He thrust in gently, taking his time, using his dick and his fingers to get her off. Her arms looped around his shoulders and she kissed him, her mouth taking his tongue as her pussy encased his length.
"Harder," she murmured against his mouth.
Dereck didn't need any more instruction, He stopped stroking her clit and gripped her butt in his hands, using it as leverage to slam into her. She whipped her head back, a scream ripping from her throat.
"You okay?"
She nodded frantically. "God, yes, again."
He pulled out and rammed in again, over and over, their bodies slapping together as the water rained down on them from above. Dereck's mouth grazed the pulse of her neck as she found her release. He licked at the wet, sweet skin below her ear.
"Dereck. Dereck."
The way she said his name, so reverently, was a rush he'd never felt before. The need to possess her, to claim that cry as his was overwhelming.
As his dick hammered her one last time, he came deep inside her, her muscles caressing his length. Milking him for all he was worth.
With his forearms on the shower wall, caging her in, he bit her, marking her with his teeth. His hips kept moving. Her throat vibrated under his mouth as she moaned, her head tilting to the side. He growled into her flesh as he finished.
Slowly he released her. The red impression of his teeth stood out against the golden skin. The implications of that brand should have sent him stumbling panicked from the stall, but he stared at it. He'd marked Jill as his...
Mate.
Her head lolled until she was looking at him, her eyes hooded, and her lips swollen from their kisses.
"Are you alright?" he asked roughly.
"Hmmm, so good."
Dereck didn't want to leave the heat of her body, but the water was tepid now. Shutting off the stream, he stepped out to get them each a towel from under the sink.
He turned around to find her standing on the bath rug, her arms wrapped around her torso. Her gaze shifted nervously, and he realized she knew what he'd done and she was scared.
Are you scared I didn't mean it? Or that I did?
Dereck tossed one towel over his shoulder, then spread out the other. He covered her body with it, keeping his arms wrapped around her chest. He kissed below her ear, down to the top of her shoulder.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"Totally."
He chuckled warmly, rubbing his cheek on hers, scenting her. "Throw something on and meet me in the kitchen."
Jill leaned her head back against his shoulder and stared up at him. "The only reason I'm not challenging your order is that I'm too hungry and weak to argue."
Dereck kissed her swiftly on the cheek. "Then hurry up or I'll eat everything myself."
Jill padded out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Dereck silently covered his waist with the towel, facing the sink. As the steam cleared, he stared at himself in the mirror.
It had been no accident he'd been unable to resist Jill. If he hadn’t felt anything for her but annoyance, there was nothing she could have done to make him kiss her the first time. He didn't just want sex with her, although that was fucking addicting. He liked her smile. Her bravery. Her loyalty. Her funny, charming, sassy self.
His dad had been right. In life and love, you couldn't play it safe.
Dereck left the bathroom with a plan. First, he was going to feed his woman.
Then he'd catch a killer.