Chapter Twelve
Jill sat at the kitchen table in her pink shorts and a tank top, pleasantly surprised by Dereck's good mood. In all honesty, once she'd realized what he'd done, she'd been waiting for the freak-out. Greer had told her all about shifters marking their mates. Jill had sworn up and down that no one was ever going to mate her, but...
That was before Dereck had called her Jilly.
No one had ever called her than before. She was always Jill to her parents and Jillian to the big wigs in Hollywood. Even Greer had never given her a nickname like that.
Then he'd put his teeth on her, pressing into her skin firm enough to imprint it, but not hurt her. The realization had hit her and instead of stopping him, she'd turned her head, giving him better access. She'd wanted him to claim her.
Because from the first time he'd walked into the room, she'd been his.
She'd been so sure what they had was an everyday attraction, but she knew better now. The connection with Dereck was something special.
Dereck opened the panini press and flipped the sandwiches he'd made onto two plates. With a grin, he carried them over, the sweats he wore riding low on his hips, showing off his ripped abs.
"Sustenance." He placed the plate in front of her.
"Whatever this is, it smells amazing."
When he sat next to her, he placed one hand on her thigh and picked up his sandwich with the other. Her stomach somersaulted as his warm palm rubbed up and down her skin.
He took a bite, moaning as he chewed. "Oh, I am excellent."
Jill used her thumb to wipe a string of cheese from his beard. "You're an animal."
Dereck leaned over and licked the cheese from her thumb. "Never said I wasn't." He squeezed her leg. "Eat up."
She picked up her sandwich and took a bite. Her taste buds applauded the ham and cheese with sweet mustard and avocado.
Jill turned toward him as she took another bite. He twisted her way, his legs on either side of hers as they ate facing each other.
"This is one of the best things I've ever had in my mouth," she mumbled, her mouth too full to be ladylike.
She groaned when she spotted his wicked grin. "Oh, my God, do you have to be such a guy?"
"Hey, it's not as though I added that's what she said."
"Gross."
"You think I'm gross huh?" He set his sandwich down and placed both hands on her thighs. Slowly he slid them up under her shorts, his fingers playing with the edge of her panties.
"Hmm, mmm. You're not gross. That charming little trend saying is." She popped the last bite of her sandwich into her mouth and pointed at his. "Are you going to eat that?"
Dereck laughed. "Yeah, I am. Just can't seem to keep my hands off you."
"Then, by all means, let me help you." She picked up his sandwich and held it up. "Open wide."
He obliged her, but right before the sandwich reached his lips, she turned it around and took a huge chunk out of the bread and meat with her teeth.
"Sucker."
"Hey, you little sneak." He grabbed for her and she stood up with the sandwich high above her head.
"Nope, it's mine! I won it through guile and deceit!"
Suddenly, Dereck yanked her shorts and underwear down, dropping them around her ankles.
"Give up the sandwich," he said.
Her voice was breathy. "Never."
"You asked for it."
He bent over and she forgot to exhale, waiting for the hot stroke of his tongue on her skin.
Instead, he stood up and plucked the sandwich from her hand. He jumped away from her, doing a little victory dance in the living room.
"Oh, bow down to the master of trickery!"
Her mouth fell open as she realized she's indeed been duped. "Well, played."
She leaned over to pulled up her underwear and shorts while he ate his sandwich.
"You might as well leave those off. In a few minutes, I'm going to be ready for dessert."
She yanked her clothes back into place. "Not me. I'll be needing another sandwich."
Dereck's phone rang on the counter as he finished off his sandwich. He wiped his hands on a kitchen towel and answered.
"Hey, Ace. You are? Already? Where?" Several beats passed. "Alright, man, I'll have a place ready for you."
Dereck set the phone on the counter. "Ace is on the road. He'll be here tomorrow night."
"Is he going to crash here?" With us? The thought of getting it on with Dereck's friend a few rooms down did not appeal to Jill at all.
"Yeah, but I figured we'd move down to your place while he gets the house to himself."
The fact that he'd rather stay with her than catch up with an old friend left her feeling gooey inside.
Except I have boobs and give him sex, so there is no competition.
Sometimes the little voice in her head was a real jerk.
"He must be a good friend if you're letting him stay at your uncle's place alone."
"That and I don't want to perform for an audience." He came back to her, his fingers lacing with hers. "And there is no way that I plan on staying celibate with you in my bed."
"What if I have a headache?" she asked.
"I'll get you an Advil and rub your temples."
"You're just staying with me because you think I need a babysitter."
"Or I could want to be with you, and keeping you safe is an added bonus."
Jill placed her hand on his chest before he could kiss her and distract her from what she needed to say. "One thing I would appreciate before we get involved is if you would please stop barking orders at me. I know I play everything off, but I really don't like being managed."
“Baby, we’re already involved.” Dereck cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs caressing the corners of her mouth. "But I'll work on not managing you."
He gave her a fast, hard kiss, and she blinked up at him, dazed and confused. "Whoa. That was way easier than I thought."
"I can't guarantee I'll be able to completely change overnight, but I'll do my best to respect your wishes."
"Is it too cliché to ask who you are and what have you done with Dereck?"
"Yes." He dropped his forehead to hers and released a shaky breath. "Besides, the answer to what's gotten into me is you. I want to make you happy."
Jill's eyes stung. No guy, ever, had said something like that to her. Maybe it was why she had such a hard time connecting with men because they'd always seen her as a pretty face instead of a person.
Sliding her arms around his waist she squeezed him. "Just so you know, sweet nothings like that get you a who lotta everything."
"Let's go back upstairs then because I have a whole lot more to say."